Systems and methods for providing food intervention and tenderization

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for providing food intervention, pumping up, and tenderization are discussed. While such systems can include any suitable component, in some cases, they include a needleless spray nozzle head that injects injectade into food without requiring the head to contact the food. In some cases, the head comprises an elongated needleless spray bar that defines multiple internal fluid channels that extend from a first end to a second end of the spray bar. In some cases, the head comprises a manifold system with a first manifold portion at the first end and a second manifold portion at the second end of the spray bar. In some cases, the first manifold portion directs the injectade towards the second end, and the second manifold portion directs the injectade towards the first end of the elongated needleless spray bar. Other implementations are described.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/538,556, filed on Aug. 12, 2019 (Attorney DocketNo. 29819.9), and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING FOODINTERVENTION AND TENDERIZATION”, which claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/120,089, filed on Aug. 31, 2018 (Attorney DocketNo. 29819.3), and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING FOODINTERVENTION AND TENDERIZATION”, which claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/161,005, filed on May 20, 2016 (Attorney DocketNo. 29819.2), and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING FOODINTERVENTION AND TENDERIZATION”, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/165,845, filed May 22, 2015(Attorney Docket No. 24116.4), and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORPROVIDING FOOD INTERVENTION AND TENDERIZATION”, as well as to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/198,975, filed Jul. 30, 2015(Attorney Docket No. 24116.5), and entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORPROVIDING FOOD INTERVENTION AND TENDERIZATION”; the entire disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field

The present invention relates to food treatment. More particularly, someimplementations of the described invention relate to systems and methodsfor injecting (and/or otherwise applying) an injectate to a food productto tenderize, limit microbial growth in (or provide intervention to),color, flavor, freeze, chill, increase a weight of, pump up, provideuptake to, improve a value of, and/or otherwise treat the food product.

Background and Related Art

Some foods (such as some cuts of meat) can have a relatively largeamount of connective tissue and can otherwise be relatively hard to cutand tough to chew. Additionally, many foods can contain (or be coveredwith) bacteria, viruses, parasites, microbes, debris, and/or otherpathogens that can make their consumption undesirable and evendangerous. In one example of how some foods become contaminated withsuch pathogens, as many meats, cheeses, types of produce, and otherfoods are cut before being sold, the exposed surfaces of some such foodscan come in contact with and/or otherwise become contaminated withbacteria, fungi, microbes, and/or other pathogens. In another example,as many foods are grown, raised, and/or harvested, they are exposed toenvironmental factors (such as feces; environmental parasites, protozoa,and other contaminants; dirty hands, equipment, and machinery; and avariety of other pathogen sources) that cause the foods to becomecontaminated.

In an effort to make some relatively tough foods more readily edible andeven desirable and/or to reduce pathogen contamination in some foods,many people have developed a variety of food treatment techniques. Forinstance, in order to tenderize some foods, several techniques exist forproviding mechanical tenderization (such as pounding meat with a meatmallet, vacuum tumbling, or otherwise), thermal tenderization (such asslow cooking meat at a relatively low temperature), and enzymatictenderization (such as marinating a piece of meat in enzymes that areconfigured to break down collagen and other connective tissue).Furthermore, to reduce pathogen contamination in food, many practiceshave been developed, including the practice of exposing food to ionizingradiation, exposing the food to one or more preservatives, processingthe food with a retort, using pressure cooking to treat the food,treating the food through high pressure processing (or HPP), cookingfoods until they are “well done”, and washing foods with adecontaminant.

Although current systems and methods for tenderizing and/ordecontaminating foods may provide a variety of benefits, such systemsand methods are not necessarily without their shortcomings. In oneexample of such a shortcoming, while some methods for tenderizing meatdo break down connective tissues in the meat, such methods can furtherbreak down, smash, cut, puncture, dissolve, and otherwise leave the meatwith an unappetizing appearance, texture, taste, or othercharacteristic. In another example, in some instances in which one ormore needles are stabbed into a piece of food to allow a tenderizingagent to be injected into the food, the needles can be a means ofpassing contamination to the food they are used to tenderize.Additionally, in this example, the needles can be stabbed into bones,where they can break off pieces of the bones, or become plugged with thebones, tendons, and/or other connective tissue. Similarly, in somemethods for decontaminating foods, the foods are: visibly damaged (forinstance, through the use of the needles discussed above), onlypartially decontaminated (for instance, cleaned on the outside but noton the inside), subjected to radiation treatments, and/or are otherwisecleaned in a manner that lessens the food's appeal to consumers.

Thus, while systems and methods currently exist that are used totenderize, pump up, and/or decontaminate foods, challenges still exist,including those listed above. Accordingly, it would be an improvement inthe art to augment or even replace current techniques with othertechniques.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to systems and methods for treating foodproducts. More particularly, some implementations relate to systems andmethods for injecting (and/or otherwise applying) an injectate to a foodproduct to: tenderize, limit microbial growth in (or provideintervention to), color, flavor, freeze, chill, preserve, increase aweight of, modify a density of, improve an aesthetic appearance of,change a texture of, change a moisture content of, pump up, change anutrient content of, and/or to otherwise treat the food product. Whilethe described systems and methods can include any suitable component, insome cases, they include an injectate reservoir; a filter; a first pump(or an injection pump) configured to force injectate from the injectatereservoir through the filter, through a pressure regulator, and to anozzle (e.g., and/or a set of nozzles on a nozzle head) that isconfigured to inject injectate into a food product without having thenozzle contact the food; and a nozzle dwell time valve (also referred toas a shot valve) that is configured to selectively open and close toregulate when and how much of the injectate that passes through thefilter is forced out of the nozzle.

In some cases, the described system further includes at least one of achiller configured to cool injectate in the reservoir, a sensorconfigured to determine a distance between the nozzle and the food item(or vice versa), an actuator and/or any other suitable mechanicalmovement device configured to move the nozzle into proximity with thefood product (and/or to move the food product into proximity with thenozzle), and/or a computer processor that controls an amount ofinjectate sprayed from the nozzle.

In some other implementations, the described food product treatmentsystem comprises an injectate reservoir; a filter; a first pumpconfigured to force injectate from the injectate reservoir through thefilter; an injection nozzle, a pulsation nozzle, a continuous cleaningnozzle, and/or any other suitable spray nozzle that is configured toinject the injectate into (and/or to otherwise apply the injectate to) afood product without requiring the spray nozzle (or a portion thereof,such as a needle) to contact the food product; a valve that isconfigured to selectively open and close to regulate when and how muchof the injectate is sprayed from the nozzle; a conduit system configuredto pass the injectate from the reservoir, through the filter, and out ofthe spray nozzle; a chamber that is configured to contain the foodproduct as the injectate is sprayed from the spray nozzle into the foodproduct; and/or a demister that is configured to draw water vapor fromwithin the chamber.

In still other implementations, the described systems include aninjectate reservoir configured to cool injectate disposed therein (e.g.,via one or more glycol chillers, chilled conduits, refrigerationsystems, liquid cooling systems (such as liquid to liquid, closed loopdry, closed-loop dry system with trim cooling, open-loop evaporative,closed-loop evaporative, chilled water, fans, and/or other liquidcooling systems), and/or any other suitable cooling system); a filter; aspray nozzle that is configured to inject injectate into a food productwithout requiring a portion of the spray nozzle to contact the foodproduct; a first pump configured to force the injectate from theinjectate reservoir through the filter and to the spray nozzle; a valvethat is configured to selectively open and close to regulate when andhow much of the injectate is forced out of the nozzle; a chamber that isconfigured to contain the food product as the injectate is sprayed fromthe spray nozzle into the food product; a first pressure sensorconfigured to measure pressure of the injectate prior to passing thevalve; a second pressure sensor configured to measure pressure of theinjectate after passing the valve and before being forced from the spraynozzle; a demister that is configured to draw vapor from within thechamber; and a computer processor, wherein the processor is configuredto control when and how much of the injectate is forced out of thenozzle.

In some implementations, a set of nozzles are disposed at a nozzle headin the system. While such a nozzle head can have any suitable componentor characteristic that allows it to apply (e.g., inject) injectate to afood product, in some implementations, the head comprises one or morechannels, orifices, jets, and/or other conduits that direct injectate(and/or any other suitable fluid) to the nozzles, with one or morerisers extending from, and in fluid communication with, the channels. Inthis regard, the risers can comprise any channel, recess, tubing,piping, and/or other feature that allows one or more gases (e.g., air)that are introduced into the nozzle head with the injectate to riseabove the injectate in the channel and be vented out (e.g., to: ambientair, the injectate tank, a drain, etc.) of the nozzle head without beingforced through one or more nozzles. Additionally, while the risers canbe disposed in any suitable portion of the heads, in some embodiments,they are disposed at a far end of the head (e.g., near an exit end orotherwise). Accordingly, in some implementations, by allowing air tovent from one or more channels in the nozzle head, the nozzle head isconfigured to deliver a consistent and predicable amount of injectate.

The nozzle head can comprise any suitable characteristic. Indeed, thenozzle head and/or nozzle manifold can comprise any suitable number ofnozzles, in any suitable configuration. In some cases, for instance, thenozzle head: comprises a single row of nozzles, comprises multiple rowsof nozzles, receives injectate from a single inlet, receives injectatefrom multiple inlets (e.g., inlets on opposite sides of the nozzleand/or in any other suitable location), is configured to vibrate toclean the head, is configured to be self-cleaning, and/or otherwisecomprises any characteristic that allows it to apply injectate to one ormore food products. Indeed, in some implementations, the nozzle headcomprises multiple rows of nozzles, and the nozzle head receivesinjectate from two substantially opposite portions of the head (e.g., toincrease injectate flow, to increase the response time needed for theinjectate to be applied through the nozzles after one or morecorresponding valves are opened, and/or for any other suitable purpose).

The described systems and methods can include any suitable number ofnozzle heads and/or nozzle manifolds that allow the system to function,including, without limitation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more.Additionally, while each of the nozzle heads or manifolds can compriseone nozzle, in some embodiments, each nozzle head comprises more thanone nozzle (e.g., between about 2 and about 10,000 nozzles, or anysubrange thereof). Indeed, in some cases, a nozzle head comprisesbetween about 20 and about 600 nozzles (e.g., about 400 nozzles±50nozzles).

In some implementations, one nozzle head is configured to spray and/orotherwise apply injectate on or to one side of a food product. In someother implementations, the described system comprises at least twonozzle heads that are configured to apply injectate onto and/or intodifferent surfaces of a food product. In some such implementations, thedescribed system comprises a first nozzle head that is configured tospray a first surface (e.g., a top surface) of a food product, and asecond nozzle head that is configured to spray a second surface (e.g., abottom surface) of the food product. In this regard, the two nozzleheads can inject and/or otherwise apply injectate to the food product inany suitable manner, including, without limitation, as the food productis hung and moves past the nozzle heads (e.g., via a meat hook, a clip,a basket, and/or any other suitable method), as the nozzles are movedpast the food product, as the food product moves past the nozzles on aconveyor belt, a spinning platform, a moving surface, and/or any othersuitable food product transport (or food transport system, foodtransport, or variations thereof).

In some implementations in which the described system comprises at leasttwo nozzle heads to apply injectate to two different portions of foodproduct, the first nozzle head is disposed on a first side of a foodtransport (e.g., a top surface of a conveyor belt, a rotating table, amoving surface, and/or any other suitable surface that is configured tosupport the food product), while the second nozzle head is disposed on asecond, opposite side of the food transport. In some suchimplementations, the second nozzle head is configured to spray and/orotherwise force injectate through the food transport. For instance, insome cases, the food transport comprises a wire belt, a chain conveyorbelt, a pintle chain, a perforated conveyor belt (or a conveyor belthaving openings in it), a perforated rotating surface (or a rotatingsurface having openings in it), a mesh conveyor, a mesh surface, a weavebelt, and/or any other suitable food transport that allows the secondnozzle head to spray (and/or otherwise apply) injectate through the foodtransport and to a food product resting on the transport.

In some implementations in which the food transport comprises a belt(e.g., a conveyor belt and/or any other suitable belt system), the beltis configured to snake, bend, and/or otherwise be disposed under and/orto a side of the first and/or second nozzle heads. In some otherimplementations, in which the food transport comprises two belts (and/orother suitable food transportation mechanisms), the second nozzle headis configured to spray injectate in between the two food transports andthen into (and/or onto) the food product.

In some implementations, one or more nozzle heads are configured to bemoved toward and/or away from a food product. In this regard, the nozzleheads can be moved in any suitable manner, including, withoutlimitation, by being moved manually, automatically, and/or in any othersuitable manner. In some cases, however, at least one nozzle and/ornozzle head comprising multiple nozzles is coupled to one or more linearactuators, linear bearings, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators,motors, robotic arms, movable frames, supports, and/or other suitableactuators and/or supports that are configured to move the nozzle (e.g.,based on a programmatic setting, the size and/or position of a foodproduct as determined by one or more sensors and/or users, one or morecharacteristics of the injectate and/or the food product, and/or anyother suitable factor).

Although some implementations of the described system are configured tomove one or more nozzle heads by themselves, in some otherimplementations, the system is configured to move one or more injectionmanifolds, valves, risers, sensors, and/or any other suitable componentwith the nozzle heads. Indeed, in some implementations, one or morevalves are maintained in relatively close proximity with the nozzle head(e.g., by being moved with the nozzle head) to provide increasedresponse and throughput.

In accordance with some implementations, the described system isconfigured to ensure that injectate that is sprayed through the nozzlehead is not recirculated through the system. In some otherimplementations, however, the described system is configured to collectinjectate that has been sprayed and/or otherwise released from one ormore nozzle heads and to then recirculate that injectate back throughthe nozzle heads. While such a recirculation process can be accomplishedin any suitable manner, in some embodiments, after the injectate issprayed, it is collected in one or more fluid collectors, filtered(e.g., via one or more screens, sieves, colanders, paper filters,synthetic filers, meshes, catches, and/or other filters or filteringmechanisms). In some implementations, once relatively large particlesand/or other masses have been filtered out of the injectate, theinjectate is passed through one or more blenders, shear blenders, statorpumps, rotor-stator pumps, stators and rotors, positive displacementpumps, pumps, macerators, colloidal mills, and/or other mechanisms thatare configured to homogenize the injectate and/or to reduce the size ofany particulates in the injectate. In some such implementations, afterthe injectate has been homogenized, it is pumped and/or otherwiseintroduced back into the system (e.g., directly and/or indirectly).

In addition to the aforementioned characteristics, the described systemsand methods can be modified in any suitable manner. Indeed, in somecases, after a food product receives injectate from a nozzle, thedescribed method is further configured to pass the food product througha bath, cascade, waterfall, curtain, dip, spray, powder, stream,breading, rub, coating, and/or other application method that isconfigured to coat, bread, fill holes in, color, preserve, flavor,and/or otherwise treat the food product.

While the methods and processes of the present invention may beparticularly useful for tenderizing, pumping up, and/or decontaminatingfood products, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thedescribed systems and methods can be used in a variety of differentapplications and in a variety of different areas of manufacture. Forinstance, the described systems and methods can be used to provide adesired color, flavor, shelf-life, aroma, palatability, presentation,appearance, value, weight, pump up, size, density, texture, nutrientcontent, mineral content, moisture content, temperature, coating,injectate, color, and/or other characteristic to a food product.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beset forth or will become more fully apparent in the description thatfollows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practiceof the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other featuresand advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particulardescription of the invention will be rendered by reference to specificembodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale or inproper proportion, and that the drawings depict only typical embodimentsof the present invention and are not, therefore, to be considered aslimiting the scope of the invention, the present invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic view of a food treatment system inaccordance with a representative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodiment ofthe food treatment system comprising three spray nozzle heads with afood product transport system in a first position in accordance with arepresentative embodiment;

FIG. 1C illustrates a front schematic view of a representativeembodiment of the food treatment system comprising three nozzle headswith the food transport system in the first position in accordance witha representative embodiment;

FIG. 1D illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodiment ofthe food treatment system comprising three spray nozzle heads with thefood transport system in a second position in accordance with arepresentative embodiment;

FIG. 1E illustrates a front schematic view of a representativeembodiment of the food treatment system comprising three nozzle headswith the food transport system in the second position in accordance witha representative embodiment;

FIG. 1F illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodiment ofthe food treatment system;

FIG. 1G illustrates a top view of a representative embodiment of thefood treatment system;

FIG. 1H illustrates a side view of a representative embodiment of thefood treatment system;

FIGS. 2A-2B each illustrate a perspective view of a spray nozzle head inaccordance with a representative embodiment of the food treatmentsystem;

FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodiment ofthe food treatment system with the food transport system in the firstposition in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIG. 2D illustrates a front schematic view of a representativeembodiment of the food treatment system with the food transport systemin the first position in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIG. 2E illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodiment ofthe food treatment system with the food transport system in the secondposition in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIG. 2F illustrates a front schematic view of a representativeembodiment of the food treatment system with the food transport systemin the second position in accordance with a representative embodiment;

FIGS. 2G-2M illustrate different views of different embodiments of amechanism for moving the spray nozzle head;

FIGS. 3-4 each illustrate a perspective view of the food treatmentsystem in accordance with a representative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a back side view of a representative embodiment ofthe food treatment system;

FIG. 6 illustrates a back side perspective view of a back side of arepresentative embodiment of the food treatment system;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of a representative embodiment of thefood treatment system;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a representative embodiment of thefood treatment system;

FIGS. 9-14 each illustrate a different view of the food treatment systemin accordance with some embodiments of the system;

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic view of the food treatment system inaccordance with a representative embodiment of the food treatmentsystem;

FIG. 16A illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodimentof a spray nozzle head;

FIG. 16B illustrates a front schematic view of a representativeembodiment of the spray nozzle head;

FIG. 16C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the spray nozzle of FIG.16B, taken along line A-A of FIG. 16B;

FIG. 16D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a representativeembodiment of the spray nozzle head, taken along line B-B in FIG. 16B;

FIG. 16E illustrates an end schematic view of a representativeembodiment of the spray nozzle head;

FIG. 17A illustrates a prospective, back side view of a representativeembodiment of the spray nozzle head;

FIG. 17B illustrates a face view of a representative embodiment of thespray nozzle head;

FIGS. 17C-17F each illustrate a different cross-sectional view of arepresentative embodiment of the spray nozzle head;

FIG. 18A illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodimentof the spray nozzle head;

FIG. 18B illustrates a perspective view of three spray nozzle heads inaccordance with a representative embodiment;

FIGS. 18C-18D illustrate perspective views of some representativeembodiments of the spray nozzle head;

FIG. 19A illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodimentof the food treatment system;

FIGS. 19B-19E illustrates various views of various portions of aninjectate reclamation system in accordance with a representativeembodiment;

FIGS. 20A-20D illustrate side views of some embodiments of the foodtreatment system that are configured inject injectate into two oppositesides of a food product while the food product rests on the food producttransport;

FIGS. 21A-21C illustrate multiple views of a representative embodimentof the food treatment system;

FIG. 22A illustrates a schematic view of a representative embodiment ofthe food treatment system;

FIG. 22B illustrates a schematic view of a food treatment system inaccordance with a representative embodiment;

FIG. 22C illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 22B, as shownto the left of line A-A in FIG. 22B;

FIG. 22D illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 22B, as shownbetween lines A-A and B-B in FIG. 22B;

FIG. 22E illustrates an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 22B, as shownto the right of line B-B in FIG. 22B;

FIG. 23 illustrates a representative system that provides a suitableoperating environment for use with some embodiments of the foodtreatment system; and

FIG. 24 illustrates a representative embodiment of a networked systemthat provides a suitable operating environment for use with someembodiments of the food treatment system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for treating foodproducts. More particularly, some implementations relate to systems andmethods for injecting (and/or otherwise applying) one or more injectatesto a food product to: tenderize, limit microbial growth in (or provideintervention to), pump up, color, flavor, freeze, chill, preserve,increase a weight of, modify a density of, improve an aestheticappearance of, change a texture of, change a moisture content, change anutrient content of, and/or to otherwise treat the food product.

In the disclosure and in the claims, the term food product (andvariations thereof) may be used to refer to any suitable food, foods,comestible, comestibles, and/or other edible material (or materials)that can be treated with the described systems and methods. In thisregard, some examples of such food products include, but are not limitedto, one or more: pieces of an animal (e.g., one or more pieces of meat,fat, flesh, a carcass, tissue, and/or other portions of one or morecows, pigs, lambs, fish, shrimp, lobsters, crustaceans, aquatic animals,deer, elk, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, birds, game animals, and/or anyother animal), proteins, protein substitutes, dairy products, animalproducts, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, plants, legumes, stalks, leaves,grasses, grains, nuts, seeds, beans, tofu, pieces of fresh food, piecesof frozen good, pieces of raw food, pieces cooked food, pieces of smokedfood, pieces of unsmoked food, pieces of cured food, pieces of preservedfood, and/or any other edible material that can be treated with thedescribed systems and methods.

As used herein, the terms injectate, solution, brine, and variationsthereof, may refer to any suitable material (or materials) that can beapplied (interiorly, exteriorly, and/or in any other suitable manner) bythe described systems to a food product. In some embodiments, theinjectate further comprises any suitable material that can be sprayedand/or otherwise provided from the described systems such that theinjectate is injected into (and/or contacted on a surface of and/orotherwise applied to) the food product to: tenderize, decontaminate (orprovide intervention to), color, flavor, season, pump up, preserve,improve a palatability of, change a smell of, improve a value of,freeze, chill, change a nutrient content of, change a moisture contentof, change a density of, change a texture of, wash, and/or otherwisechange one or more characteristics of the food product. Some examples ofsuch injectates include, but are not limited to, one or more: types ofwater, types of ozonated waters, types of brine, acids (e.g., lacticacids, organic acids, vinegars, and/or any other suitable acids), bases,salts, salt solutions, elements (e.g., liquid nitrogen), compounds,mixtures, enzymes (e.g., Bromelain, Actinidin, Papain, one or moreproteases, and/or any other suitable enzymes), coloring agents,disinfectants, stabilizers, food-grade additives, excipients, aromas,preservatives, sugars, gases (e.g., air, oxygen, nitrogen, carbondioxide, a chemically inert gas, and/or any other suitable gas and/orgases), and/or any other suitable materials that can be injected into afood product while still allowing the food product to ultimately beeaten. Indeed, in some embodiments, however, the injectate comprises asolution comprising lactic acid.

As used herein, the term tenderize, and variations thereof, may refer toone or more processes in which a portion of a food product is at leastpartially ruptured, digested, proteolyzed, lysed, pumped up, and/or thefood product is otherwise rendered more tender (e.g., less hard and/ortough).

As used herein, the term intervention, and variations thereof, may referto one or more processes in which a portion of a food product is treatedso as to kill, mitigate, deactivate, log reduce, prevent, slowpropagation of, and/or otherwise reduce an amount (and/or potency) ofbacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, germs, microbes, parasites, debris,and/or other pathogens that are on an outer surface, an inner surface,and/or any other portion of the food product.

As used herein, the term spray and variations thereof may refer to aprocess in which injectate and/or any other suitable material is forcedthrough one or more nozzles. In some cases, the term spray andvariations thereof further refers to a process in which injectate and/orany other suitable material is forced through a nozzle such that theinjectate pierces, penetrates, impregnates, punctures, showers,sprinkles, drizzles, pours on, jets on, is discharged on, is injectedinto, and/or is otherwise applied to, coated on, and/or placed in a foodproduct.

The following disclosure of the present invention is grouped into twosubheadings, namely “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FOOD TREATMENT” and“REPRESENTATIVE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT.” The utilization of thesubheadings is for convenience of the reader only and is not to beconstrued as being limiting in any sense.

Systems and Methods for Food Treatment

As mentioned, the described systems and methods are configured toinject, apply to one or more surfaces, and/or otherwise apply one ormore injectates (or solutions) to a food product to: tenderize, provideintervention to, color, season, freeze, chill, modify a nutrient contentof, modify a moisture content of, pump up, modify a temperature of,modify a texture of, and/or to otherwise treat such food product. Whilethe described systems can comprise any suitable component, FIG. 1A showsthat, in some embodiments, the described food treatment system 10includes one or more injectate tanks 15; pre-filters 20; injection pumps25; pressure regulators 30; bypass lines 33; injectate filters 35;pressure sensors 40; nozzle dwell time valves 45; injection nozzles,pulsation nozzles, spray nozzles, nozzle heads, nozzle manifolds, and/orother applicators 50 (wherein such terms may be used interchangeably);food product transports 55; purge valves 60; wash (or clean-in-place)apparatuses 65; demisters 70; computer processing units 75; food productsensors 80; scale systems 85; and/or cabinets 90.

With respect to the injectate tanks 15, an injectate tank (and/or tanks)can perform suitable function, including, without limitation, storinginjectate prior to it being fed to one or more nozzles 50, maintaining ahead pressure over the injection pump 25 by allowing fluid pressure toforce air out the system 10, acting as a service supply of the injectateto keep a constant supply of injectate to the injection pump, acting asa return vessel for return injectate (e.g., released from the pressureregulator 30 and/or any other portion of the system, acting as a supplyfor cleaning the system, acting as a supply for the wash or clean inplace apparatus 65, and/or any other suitable purpose).

The injectate tank 15 can comprise any suitable component orcharacteristic that allows it to function as described herein (e.g.,store injectate (not shown) and to allow the system 10 to apply (e.g.,inject and/or otherwise apply) the injectate to a food product). Indeed,FIG. 1A shows that, in some embodiments, the tank 15 comprises: one ormore injectate reservoirs 95 of any suitable size and shape, high shearmixers, low shear mixers, mixers, sensors 100 (e.g., any suitable typeof sensors that are configured to determine one or more pressures,temperatures, amounts, fluid levels, pH, compositions, gas compositions,moisture, homogeneity (or lack thereof), and/or other characteristics ofinjectate within each reservoir), hygienic pressure transmitter sensors,wet well ports, feed pumps 105 and/or other suitable pumps that areconfigured to force injectate from the tank to the injectate pump (orinjection pump) 25 and to thereby prime and/or reduce the strain on theinjectate pump, heating systems that are configured to heat injectatewithin the tank, and/or cooling systems that are configured to coolinjectate within the tank. Indeed, in some embodiments the tankcomprises one or more hygienic pressure transmitter sensors (and/orother suitable sensors) that are configured to determine a level ofinjectate in the tank. In this regard, the hygienic sensor can functionin any suitable manner, including, without limitation, by measuring theamount of pressure read by its sensor portion and transmitting suchinformation to the computer processor 75. In such embodiments, suchsensors can be disposed in any suitable location, including, withoutlimitation, at a wet-well port of the tank. Additionally, in someembodiments, such a sensor is used to refill the tank, to stop or slowthe rate at which injectate is added to the tank, and/or to partiallyempty the tank (e.g., to prevent the tank from overfilling).

As mentioned, in some embodiments, the tank 10 comprises one or moretemperature sensors (e.g., on a wet-well port of the tank and/or at anysuitable location) that are configured to monitor the temperature ofinjectate in the tank. In this manner, the system and sensors can helpcontrol the temperature of the injectate (e.g., via a cooling system 110and/or in any other suitable manner).

With regards to the cooling system 110 (or chiller) of the injectatetank 15, the chiller can comprise any suitable component that allows itto cool injectate within the tank 15. Indeed, in some embodiments, thechiller comprises one or more non-cyclic refrigeration systems, cyclicrefrigeration systems, vapor-cycle refrigeration systems,vapor-compression refrigeration systems, vapor-absorption refrigerationsystems, gas-cycle refrigeration system, insulators, insulation layers(including, without limitation, one or more types of foam, urethane,fiberglass, mineral wool, cellulose, gypsum, perlite, fiberboard, and/orany other suitable insulator), and/or any other suitable cooling and/orinsulation mechanism or mechanisms.

In some embodiments, the chiller 110 comprises one or more glycol(and/or other suitable) chillers. In this regard, while the glycol (orother) chiller can be configured in any suitable manner, in someembodiments, the injectate tank 15 comprises a jacketed tank thatincludes an inner wall that defines at least one reservoir 95 and anouter wall comprising an outer surface of the tank, with one or morecooling coils, conduits, baths, and/or other fluid containers and/orinsulators being disposed between the two walls. In some otherembodiments, the described system 10 comprises one or more conduits(e.g., one or more fluid conduits that extend within the system, one ormore conduits that extend between the injectate tank and the injectionpump 25, and/or any other suitable portion of the system 10) that arelined by, wrapped with, coiled around, and/or otherwise held inproximity with one or more lines and/or other containers carrying acoolant (e.g., glycol, one or more refrigerants, halocarbons, water,and/or other suitable coolants). Accordingly, in some such embodiments,the injectate in the system can be maintained in a desired temperaturerange, even after the injectate has been removed from the injectatetank.

In some embodiments, the injectate tank 15 further comprises one or morewheels, electrical and/or fluidic coupling devices, and/or any othersuitable components that allow the tank to be selectively connected toand/or to be disconnected from the food treatment system 10. Indeed, asshown in FIG. 1A, some embodiments of the tank 15 comprise a movablecart 115. Additionally, FIG. 1A shows that some embodiments of the tank15 comprise one or more plugs, wires, quick-connect couplers, and/orvalves 120 that allow the tank to be emptied, cleaned, quickly connectedto the system 10 to allow fluids (e.g., injectate, glycol, and/or anyother suitable fluid, signals, reports, data, power, etc.) to flowbetween the tank and the system, and/or to serve any other suitablepurpose. Similarly, in some embodiments, such plugs, wires,quick-connect couplers, and/or valves allow the tank to be detached fromthe system relatively quickly for any suitable purposes, such as forreplacing the tank with another tank (e.g., another tank full ofinjectate and/or the wash apparatus 65). Additionally, in someembodiments, the valves (e.g., one or more evacuation valves and/or anyother suitable valves 120) are configured to selectively open and close(e.g., manually, automatically, by being electrically controlled, and/orin any other suitable manner) to allow the tank to provide injectate tothe system, to allow the tank to be emptied for cleaning or receipt ofnew injectate, and/or for any other suitable purpose.

In some embodiments (as shown in FIG. 1A), the food treatment system 10optionally includes one or more pre-filters 20 that are configured totreat the injectate (e.g., to filter the injectate, inactivate pathogensin the injectate, and/or otherwise treat the injectate) and/or to removeparticles, debris, and/or other unwanted materials from the injectateprior to allowing the injectate to pass through the injectate pump 25.In such embodiments, the pre-filter can comprise any suitable filterand/or other suitable injectate treatment mechanism, including, withoutlimitation, one or more membrane filters, cartridge filters, canisterfilters, activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis filters, alkalinefiltration systems, water ionizers, UV systems, infrared systems,screens, sieves, paper filters, cellulose filters, and/or any othersuitable filtration systems. Additionally, in some embodiments, in placeand/or in addition to the pre-filter, the system comprises one or moreblenders (e.g., shear blenders and/or any other suitable component thatis configured to reduce particle sizes in the injectate) to ensure thatparticulates in the injectate are of a suitable size to pass through theinjection pump 25.

While the pre-filter 20 can comprise any suitable characteristic, insome embodiments, the pre-filter is configured to allow particlessmaller than about 200 micrometers, or any suitable size smaller thanthat (e.g., to allow particles smaller than about 180 micrometers,particles smaller than about 140 micrometers, particles smaller thanabout 125 micrometers, particles smaller than about 110 micrometers,particles smaller than about 80 micrometers, particles smaller thanabout 40 micrometers, and/or particles of any other suitable size) topass through the pre-filter. Indeed, in some embodiments, the pre-filteris configured to allow particles smaller than about 80 micrometers(e.g., particles smaller than about 40 micrometers or even be limited toonly allow particles smaller than 20 microns) to pass through it.Nevertheless, the pre-filter can be used, depending on the application,to prevent (and/or allow) material that is larger or smaller than any ofthe above-referenced sizes to pass through to the injectate pump 25.

While the pre-filter 20 can comprise any suitable filter, in someembodiments, it comprises one or more high pressure in-line hydraulicfilters, high pressure tee-type hydraulic filters, medium pressurehydraulic filters, membrane filters, ceramic filters, stainless steelelement filters, sintered filter elements filters, sintered tin bronzeelement filters, metal fiber felt element filters, nickel elementfilters, paper filters, cellulose filters, carbon filters, inlinefilters, and/or any other suitable filters. Indeed, in some embodiments,the pre-filter comprises one or more high pressure hydraulic filters(e.g., a stainless element high press filter, as produced by NormanFilter Company, LLC of Bridgeview, Ill., USA and/or any other suitableentity).

Turning now to the injection pump 25, the system 10 can comprise one ormore injection pumps, which (in turn) can each comprise any suitablepump that allows the system to force injectate through one or morenozzles (or applicators) 50 at a pressure sufficient to allow theinjectate to penetrate into (or to otherwise be applied to) a foodproduct to tenderize, flavor, provide intervention to, chill, modify acomposition of, pump up, and/or to otherwise treat such food product. Inthis regard, some examples of suitable pumps include, but are notlimited to, one or more hydra-cell pumps, positive displacement pumps,hydraulic pumps, continuous flow pumps, roto-dynamic pumps, turbo pumps,reciprocating pumps, centrifugal pumps, booster pumps, canned motorpumps, shear blenders, blenders, stators, stator pumps, rotor-statorpumps, positive displacement pumps, rotor pumps, screw pumps, twin screwpumps, liquid ring pumps, piston pumps, circumferential piston pumps,helical rotary lobe pumps, rotary lobe pumps, suction and low pulsationhelical lobe pumps, bi-wing lobe pumps, centrifugal pumps, chopperpumps, circulator pumps, cryogenic pumps, multi-stage pumps, diaphragmpumps, and/or other suitable pumps. Indeed, in some embodiments, theinjection pump comprises a positive displacement pump (e.g., aHYDRA-CELL™ seal-less pump, produced by Wanner Engineering, Inc. of MN,and/or any other suitable pump, including from one or more othervendors) that is configured to receive injectate from the injectate tank15 at a relatively low pressure, and to then force the injectate fromthe injection pump at a relatively high pressure. Additionally, in someembodiments, the injection or injectate pump comprises a shear blender,such as the FS Shear Blender produced by Fristam Pumps of MiddletonWis., USA, and/or any other entity.

While the injection pump 25 can function in any suitable manner(including, without limitation, by forcing injectate from the tank 15 tothe nozzles 50), in some embodiments, the pump is configured to receivefluid (e.g., injectate, cleaning fluid, and/or any other suitable fluid)from one port and to move that fluid out from the pump to one or morelocations (e.g., to a post filter 35, to a pressure regulator 30, backto the tank to release fluid back into the reservoir, to the nozzles 50,and/or to any other suitable location). In some embodiments, anadditional port that is part of, or in fluid communication with, thepump allows for a pressure relief valve to release high pressure to athree-way valve (and/or any other suitable valve).

While the injection pump 25 can release the injectate at any suitablepressure, in some embodiments, the injection pump is configured torelease the injectate at any suitable pressure (depending on the type offood product being treated and the desired treatment being performed)that is less than about 4,000 psi, including at any suitable pressure orsub-range of pressures that are lower than 4,000 psi (e.g., at apressure that is: less than about 2,500 psi, less than about 1,100 psi,less than about 800 psi, less than about 600 psi, less than about 400psi, and/or any other suitable pressure below about 4,000 psi). Forexample, in some embodiments, where the food product comprises a seafood(e.g., salmon, shrimp, lobsters, etc.), the injection pump is configuredto release injectate from the nozzles (or applicators) 50 at a pressureof between about 700 psi and about 900 psi. Moreover, in someembodiments in which the food product comprises a steak, the injectionpump is configured to release injectate from the nozzles 50 at apressure of between about 900 psi and about 1,450 psi. In some othernon-limiting embodiments, where the food product comprises a roast, theinjection pump is configured to release injectate from the nozzles 50 ata pressure of between about 2,000 psi and about 4,000 psi.

Additionally, although some embodiments of the injection pump 25 areconfigured to release injectate at a substantially constant pressure, insome other embodiments, the injection pump is configured toautomatically and/or manually vary its pump frequency and/or thepressure at which it releases the injectate. In other words, someembodiments of the injection pump comprise a variable frequency drivepump.

In some embodiments, the injectate pump 25 further comprises and/or isotherwise used in connection with one or more air-bleed priming valves.In this regard, such valves can perform any suitable function,including, without limitation, creating an open port to atmosphere (orambient) and/or allowing the injectate pump 25 to clear air, vapors, andother gases from the pump and the system's plumbing.

As mentioned, some embodiments of the system 10 optionally comprise oneor more pressure regulators 30 that are configured to limit (and/orotherwise control) the pressure of the injectate as it is released tothe nozzle 50. In this regard, the pressure regulator can be configuredin any suitable manner (including, without limitation, manually and/orautomatically) to limit the pressure of the injectate to any suitablelevel, including, without limitation, by ensuring that the pressure ofthe injectate that exits the spray nozzle is less than about 4,000 psi(or, as discussed above, any suitable pressure below that). Indeed, insome embodiments, the pressure regulator (and/or the injection pump)ensures that the injectate that is released from the nozzle has apressure between about 600 psi and about 2,800 psi (or any suitablesub-range thereof). In this regard, in some cases in which the describedsystems are used with a relatively delicate meat (e.g., salmon and/oranother fish) or other relatively delicate food product, the pressureregulator (and/or the injection pump) ensures that the injectate isreleased from the nozzle at a pressure between about 550 psi and about1,150 psi. In contrast, in some cases in which the described systems areused with a relatively thick and/or tough meat (or other food product),the pressure regulator (and/or the injection pump) ensures that theinjectate is released from the nozzle at a pressure between about 1,150psi and about 2,600 psi.

Where the system 10 comprises one or more pressure regulators 30, thesystem can comprise any suitable pressure regulator that is configuredraise and/or release pressure in a portion of the system, including,without limitation, one or more back pressure regulators, dome loadedPRVs, tank blanketing regulators, pressure relief valves, pressureregulating safety valves, computer controlled pressure regulators,electro-pneumatically actuated computer pressure regulators, pressuresensor, and/or any other suitable regulators. Indeed, in someembodiments, the pressure regulator comprises a pressure relief valvethat is in fluid communication with one or more outlet ports of theinjectate pump 25 to allow for any high pressure injectate to bereleased (e.g., in the case that a bypass regulator valve or three-wayvalve of the system fails, in turn, letting the high-pressure fluidescape the system without damaging the pump). In some cases, thepressure relieve valve outlet is connected to a dedicated portionexiting the cabinet 90.

In some cases, the system 10 comprises one or more electro-pneumaticactuators (or electro-pneumatically actuated computer controlledpressure actuators). In some such embodiments, the actuator comprises amicroprocessor based proportional integral derivative controller (orPID) that provides precise algorithmic pressure control to injectate inat least a portion of the system. In some embodiments, such an actuatorallows for injectate to return to the tank 15 during the time thenozzles 50 are not spraying (e.g., during advancement of the foodproduct transport 55). In some embodiments, the actuator has aproportional integral, derivative controller with a set point that isset via the computer processor 75 (e.g., via a touchscreen, asmartphone, and/or any other suitable input) to the internal PIDcontrols the process pressure. In accordance with some embodiments, thePID also utilizes air pressure to control the mechanical function of aventing pressure regulator to set the desired pressure. In some cases,the electro-pneumatic actuator is used for operation of the head, anypressure exceeding the specified amount is relieved by the back-pressureregulator into the injectate tank 15.

In some cases, the system 10 further comprises one or more ventingpressure regulators. While such a regulator can comprise any suitablecomponent, in some embodiments, it comprises a high pressure, low flowpiston sensed regulator. Additionally, in some embodiments, the ventingpressure regulator works in conjunction with the electro-pneumaticactuator. Specifically, in some cases, the venting pressure regulatorworks to maintain a computer specified pressure from the action of theelectro-pneumatic actuator, such pressure falling in any suitable range,including, without limitation, between about 500 psig and about 20,000psig, or within any subrange thereof (e.g., between about 6,000 psig andabout 15,000 psig).

In some cases, the system 10 further comprises one or more pulsationdampers that are configured to relieve hydraulic shock caused bypulsation from some embodiments of the injectate pump 25. While suchdamper can be disposed in any suitable location, in some embodiments,they are disposed between the pump and the nozzles 50. Additionally, insome cases, to reduce vibration to the cabinet 90 and the system,conduits leading to the injectate pump are configured to reducevibration (e.g., such conduits comprise flex hoses, rubber hoses, and/orany other suitable material).

In accordance with some embodiments, the system 10 optionally comprisesone or more three-way valves. Such a valve can comprise any suitablevalve, including, without limitation, a pressure shutoff valve (e.g., anair operated, manually operated, automated, and/or any other suitablepressure shutoff valve). While such a valve can have any suitablecharacteristic, in some embodiments, it comprises any suitable pressurerating (e.g., between about 12,000 psi and about 4,000 psi, or anywherebetween, such as between about 10,000 psi and about 6,000 psi.Additionally, while the valve can be actuated at any suitable pressure,in some embodiments, the valve is actuated with a minimum/maximumpressure range of about 40 psi to about 200 psi, in any subrange thereof(e.g., about 80 psi to about 110 psi).

As additional examples of suitable characteristics of the optionalthree-way valve, in some cases, it comprises an inlet port, an outletport to the tank to allow for the injectate from the pressure regulator30 to return to the tank 15 as it passes through the three-way valve,and one outlet port that is configured to function as a drain forcleaning the system. Indeed, in some embodiments, the three-way valve isconfigured to allow injectate to either be returned to the tank 15 afterpassing through the injection pump 25 in normal operating conditions, orto dump fluids through a dedicated flush port exiting the cabinet 90. Insome cases, the fluids delivered to the inlet port originate from thepressure regulator (e.g., the venting pressure regulator). Additionally,in some cases, when the system 10 is cleaned, the three-way valve candirect fluids to both the tank and the dedicated flush port.

With respect now to the bypass line 33, FIG. 1A shows that someembodiments of the system 10 comprise one or more bypass lines 33 thatallow injectate to be released from the system when injectate pressurein the system is above a set limit for one or more components of thesystem. Indeed, in some instances in which the injection pump 25 ispressurizing injectate and the dwell time valve 45 is closed betweensprays of injectate through the nozzles 50, the bypass line preventsundue pressure increases by bleeding some of the injectate out of thesystem (e.g., into an injectate tank). Additionally, (and as mentionedabove) in some cases, the bypass line leads from the venting pressureregulator (or pressure regulator 30) to allow fluid to be returned tothe tank (e.g., via the three-way valve, discussed above, or in anyother suitable manner).

Where the system 10 comprises one or more bypass lines 33, the bypasslines 33 can drain injectate (and/or any other suitable material) fromthe system 10 into any suitable location, such as into the injectatetank 15 (e.g., for recirculation and/or any other suitable use), adrain, a storage tank, etc. In accordance with some embodiments,however, FIG. 1A shows that the bypass line 33 bleeds injectate backinto the injectate tank 15. In some such embodiments, the bypass linecomprises one or more nozzles, is angled, is configured to be submersed,and/or is otherwise configured to direct injectate back into theinjectate tank in such a manner that injectate within the tank is mixedand prevented from becoming stagnant as injectate is introduced into thetank through the bypass line. In some embodiments, however, the tankcomprises one or more high shear and/or low shear mixers to mix theinjectate (and/or to prevent the injectate from becoming stagnant).

With respect now to the injectate filter 35, the system optionallycomprises one or more injectate filters, which can (in turn) eachcomprise any suitable filter that is capable of preventing particlesand/or other debris in the injectate from passing through the filter andplugging the nozzle. Some non-limiting examples of such filters includeone or more high pressure in-line hydraulic filters, high pressuretee-type hydraulic filters, medium pressure hydraulic filters, membranefilters, ceramic filters, stainless steel element filters, sinteredfilter elements filters, sintered tin bronze element filters, metalfiber felt element filters, nickel element filters, paper filters,and/or any other suitable filters. Indeed in some embodiments, theinjectate filter comprises one or more high pressure hydraulic filters(e.g., a stainless steel element high pressure hydraulic filter, asproduced by Norman Filter Company, LLC of Bridgeview, Ill., USA and/orany other suitable entity). Additionally, in some cases, in addition to,or in place of, the injectate filter, the system 10 comprises one ormore blenders (e.g., shear blenders) that are configured to reduceparticulate size.

While the injectate filter 35 can comprise any suitable characteristic,in some embodiments, the filter has a pore size between about 10 andabout 120 micrometers, or any suitable sub-range thereof (e.g., betweenabout 65 and about 80 micrometers, between about 70 and about 75micrometers, between about 15 and about 20 micrometers, and/or any othersuitable sub-range). Indeed, in some embodiments, the filter ensuresthat particles in the injectate that reach the nozzle 50 are at least90% the size of a spray orifice (or exit aperture) in the nozzle, orsmaller (e.g., less than about 76%, less than about 60%, less than 50%,or any suitable amount smaller than a diameter of the orifice). Forinstance, some embodiments of the injectate filter comprise a pore sizethat is about 20 micrometers±5 micrometers, so as to only allowparticles smaller than such pore size to pass through the injectatefilter. In still other embodiments, the injectate filter comprises apore size that is about 5 micrometers±3 micrometers, so as to only allowparticles smaller than such pore size to pass through the injectatefilter

With respect to the pressure sensors 40, FIG. 1A further shows that someembodiments of the system 10 comprise one or more pressure sensors 40 ortransducers. While theses pressure sensors can be disposed in anysuitable location (e.g., before and/or after the dwell time valve 45),FIG. 1A shows an embodiment in which a first digital pressure sensor 42is disposed before the dwell time valve 45, a second digital pressuresensor 44 is disposed after the dwell time valve 45 along with apressure gauge 46 comprising a display (and/or that is capable ofproviding pressure readings to the computer processing unit 75).Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the pressure sensors can determine apressure of the injectate in one or more lines (and/or in the systemitself) prior to and after the dwell time valve. Additionally, in someembodiments, one or more pressure sensors are configured to determinethe operating pressure of the fluid (e.g., injectate, cleaning fluid,and/or other fluid) exiting the nozzles 50 and to report that pressureto the electro-pneumatically actuated computer controlled pressureregulator. Moreover, in some embodiments, the pressure sensor is locatedbefore at a position between about −15 degrees and about 30 degrees, orany subrange thereof (e.g., between about 1 degree and about 15 degrees)above a 90 degree angle in line with the supply tube to which it iscoupled. In some such embodiments, such a placement allows for air toescape from the system for a more accurate reading while allowing forexcess fluid to drain during system cleaning.

With respect to the nozzle dwell time valve 45, the system can compriseany suitable number of dwell time valves, which, in turn, can eachcomprise any component or characteristic that allows each valve to openand close to respectively allow and stop the flow of injectate throughthe nozzles 50 (and/or to allow for the evacuation of air and/or tofunction as system is cleaned). Indeed, in some embodiments, the dwelltime valve is configured to open and close to provide timed bursts ofinjectate through one or more of the nozzles. In this regard, the dwelltime valve can be configured to open for any suitable length of timethat allows the system to tenderize, provide intervention to, pump up,and/or otherwise treat a food product. Indeed, in some embodiments, thedwell time valve is configured to open and allow injectate to spray fromthe nozzle for a burst that is any suitable amount of time less thanabout 30 seconds (including, without limitation, any suitable amount oftime less than about 10 seconds). For instance, depending on thecharacteristics of the food product being treated and the desiredtreatment, in some embodiments, the valve is configured to allow thenozzle to provide a food product with bursts of injectate that lastbetween about 0.05 and about 8 seconds (e.g., between about 0.2 andabout 0.8 seconds or any subrange thereof).

The dwell time valve 45 can comprise any suitable valve that is capableof functioning as described herein. Indeed, in some embodiments, thevalve comprises one or more integrated solenoid valves, pneumatic assistvalves, pneumatic valves, electric valves, motorized valves, and/or anyother suitable type of valves. In some cases, however, the dwell timevalve (or manifold actuation valve) comprises a solenoid valve which hasa pneumatic assist.

Although in some embodiments, the system 10 is configured such thatinjectate is sprayed from one or more nozzles 50 when the positions ofthe food product and the nozzles are substantially static with respectto each other (e.g., the system stops the movement of the food productand/or the nozzle heads 125 while injectate is being sprayed), in someother embodiments, the system 10 is configured to move the food productand/or the nozzles continuously and/or intermittently while theinjectate is being sprayed.

Indeed, in some embodiments, the system 10 is configured to move thefood product in pulses where the product is moved and then stopped whenthe injectate is sprayed, before the project is then moved again, onlyto stop to allow the injectate to be sprayed in a different position.Additionally, in some embodiments, the system is configured to move thefood product (or, in some cases, the nozzles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, or more) by relatively short increments, with the injectate beingsprayed between the incremental movements, followed by a relatively longmovement of the food product (or nozzles). Indeed, in some cases, as thefood product is moved in the relatively long movement, the food productis moved by any suitable distance, including, without limitation, by adistance that approximately equal to (or that is slightly longer orshorter than) the distance between the farthest-most nozzles (whenmeasured in the direction of the movement of the food product) (or thenozzles, where the nozzles move; e.g., the distance between the firstset 360 and the third set 370 of nozzles 50 in FIG. 17B). In thismanner, some embodiments of the system are configured to treat foodproducts at a relatively high rate.

In any case, some embodiments of the system 10 are configured to movethe food product with respect to the nozzles (and/or vice versa). Thismovement can occur (as mentioned above) in any suitable manner (e.g., inpulses, at any speed, with rest periods (or periods in which a distancebetween the food product and a nozzle or nozzle head 125 issubstantially static) of any suitable time, with continual movement,with continuous movement, and/or in any other suitable manner. Indeed,in some embodiments, the system is configured (e.g., depending on thenumber of heads in the system, head placement, nozzle placement, desiredfood product saturation with injectate, and/or any other suitablefactor) to use spray dwell time and movement of the food product withrespect to the nozzles (or vice versa) to provide a food product with adesired injectate application. Thus, in some embodiments, the system isconfigured to ensure that an entire food product is treated (e.g.,tenderized, pumped up, provided with intervention, flavored, colored,and/or otherwise treated). In some embodiments, the system is furtherprogrammable and/or optimizable (e.g., manually, automatically, and/orotherwise, as discussed herein) to ensure that spray dwell time,movement of the food product and/or nozzles, and/or any other suitableparameter of the system is configured to provide a desired treatment.

With respect to the spray nozzles 50, the system 10 can comprise anysuitable number of spray nozzles that allow the system to provide adesired food treatment, to be cleaned, and/or to evacuate air from thesystem (e.g., during warmup). Indeed, in some embodiments, the systemcomprises between 1 and 4,000 nozzles, or any sub-range thereof (e.g.,between about 1 and about 12, between about 12 and about 64, 400, etc.).By way of non-limiting illustration, FIGS. 16, 17B, and 18C show someembodiments in which a nozzle head 125 comprises multiple nozzles 50.

The spray nozzles 50 can comprise any suitable characteristic thatallows them to treat a food product with injectate. Indeed, althoughsome embodiments of the nozzles are configured to coat a food productwith injectate, some other embodiments of the nozzles are configured tospray the injectate at a relatively high pressure (as discussed above)such that a portion of the injectate penetrates to a desired depth intothe food product being treated. In such embodiments, each nozzle cancomprise any suitable characteristic that allows it to perform such afunction. For instance, the nozzles can each define one or more sprayorifices of any suitable size. In this regard, some embodiments of thenozzles comprise a spray orifice that is less than about 300 micrometers(or any suitable amount smaller than that) in size. Indeed, in someembodiments, the nozzle's spray orifices are less than about 152micrometers (e.g., about 145±8 micrometers) in size.

The spray nozzles 50 can further comprise any suitable type of nozzle.In this regard, some examples of suitable nozzles comprise one or moresapphire spray nozzles, stainless steel spray nozzles, diamond spraynozzles, orifices in a pipe, orifices in a tube, orifices in a nozzlehead (or support), ports, openings, and/or any other suitable spraynozzle or nozzles. In some embodiments, however, one or more nozzlescomprise a sapphire spray nozzle.

While FIG. 1A shows that, in some embodiments, the spray nozzles 50 aredisposed on a single spray nozzle head 125 (or support), in some otherembodiments, the spray nozzles can be disposed on any other suitablenumber of spray nozzle heads, including, without limitation, 2, 3, 4, 5,6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIGS.1B-1E show some embodiments in which the system 10 comprises threenozzle heads 125 (or heads, manifolds, or supports). Where the system 10comprises more than one nozzle head 125, each head can be fluidlycoupled to the system in any suitable manner, including, withoutlimitation, by being connected to the system in series, by beingconnected to one or more distribution manifolds, by sharing one or morepurge valves 60, by comprising its own purge valve, by sharing one ormore common drain lines 160, by comprising its own drain line, and/or inany other suitable manner. In one non-limiting illustration, FIG. 18Dshows that a nozzle head 125 comprises two nozzle head caps 128 that areconfigured to channel injectate (and/or any other suitable material intothe nozzle head. As a result, in some such embodiments, the system 10 isconfigured to rapidly supply all of the nozzles 50 with a desiredpressure level.

Additionally, while FIGS. 1B-1E show that the heads 125 are configuredto be disposed above the food product (not shown in FIGS. 1B-1E), theheads can be disposed above, below, on one or more sides of, at one ormore angles to, and/or in any other suitable location with respect tothe food product. Indeed, in some embodiments, the system 10 comprisesat least one spray nozzle head that is disposed above a food product.Moreover, in some other embodiments, the system comprises at least onespray nozzle head that is disposed above a food product and one spraynozzle head that is disposed below the food product (e.g., so as tospray the food product through a wire mesh conveyor belt or otherwise).Furthermore, in some embodiments, one or more nozzle heads areconfigured to be disposed above a food product at an angle (e.g., so asto not be parallel with a bed of the food product transport 55). In suchembodiments, the nozzle head can be disposed at any suitable angle,including, without limitation, an angle between about 0 degrees andabout 180 degrees to one side and/or another side of the food product,or any sub-range thereof (e.g., by less than about 30 degrees to oneside or another).

In some embodiments, one nozzle head 125 is configured to spray and/orotherwise apply injectate on or to one side of a food product 200. Insome other implementations, the described system 10 comprises at leasttwo nozzle heads that are configured to apply injectate onto and/or intodifferent surfaces of a food product. In some such implementations, thedescribed system comprises a first nozzle head that is configured tospray a first surface (e.g., a top surface) of a food product, and asecond nozzle head that is configured to spray a second surface (e.g., abottom surface) of the food product (or a surface resting on a conveyorbelt or other food product transport 55). In this regard, the two nozzleheads can inject and/or otherwise apply injectate to the food product inany suitable manner, including, without limitation, as the food productis hung and moves past the nozzle heads (e.g., via a meat hook, a clip,a basket, and/or any other suitable method), as the nozzles are movedpast the food product, as the food product moves past the nozzles on aconveyor belt, a spinning platform, a moving surface, and/or any othersuitable food product transport 55.

In some embodiments in which the described system 10 comprises at leasttwo nozzle heads 125 to apply injectate to two different portions of afood product 200, the first nozzle head is disposed on a first side of afood transport (e.g., above a top surface of a conveyor belt, a rotatingtable, a moving surface, and/or any other suitable surface or transport55 that is configured to support the food product), while the secondnozzle head is disposed on a second, opposite side of the surface of thefood transport that is supporting the food product. In some suchembodiments, the second nozzle head is configured to spray and/orotherwise force injectate through the food transport.

For instance, in some cases, the food transport 55 comprises a wirebelt, a chain conveyor belt, a pintle chain, a perforated conveyor belt(or a conveyor belt having openings in it), a perforated rotatingsurface (or a rotating surface having openings in it), a mesh conveyor,a mesh surface, a weave belt, and/or any other suitable food transportthat allows the second nozzle head to spray (and/or otherwise apply)injectate directly through a portion the food transport and to a foodproduct resting on the transport. By way of non-limiting illustration,FIG. 20A shows an embodiment in which a first nozzle head 125 a isconfigured to spray injectate down on a food product 200, while a secondnozzle head 125 b is configured to spray the injectate up through the alayer of the food transport 55 (e.g., a single layer of a wire belt, achain belt, a perforated belt, and/or any other suitable foodtransport). Similarly, FIG. 20B shows an embodiment, in which a firstnozzle head 125 a is configured to spray injectate down on a foodproduct 200, while a second nozzle head 125 b is configured to spray theinjectate up through the multiple layers of the food transport 55 (e.g.,two layers of a wire belt, a chain belt, a perforated belt, and/or anyother suitable food transport).

In some embodiments in which the food transport 55 comprises a belt(e.g., a conveyor belt and/or any other suitable belt system) and/oranother suitable transport, the belt and/or transport is configured tosnake, bend, and/or otherwise be disposed under and/or to a side of thefirst and/or second nozzle heads. By way of non-limiting illustration,FIG. 20C shows a representative embodiment in which a first nozzle head125 a is configured to spray injectate down on a food product 200, whilea second nozzle head 125 b is configured to spray injectate into abottom side of the food product 200 (or a surface of the product that isresting on the transport 55. In this regard, FIG. 20C shows anembodiment in which a conveyor belt 56 or other food transport 55 isconfigured to wrap around the second nozzle head 125 b such that thesecond nozzle head does not need to spray injectate through thetransport. Additionally, FIG. 20C shows an embodiment in which the gapformed by the deviation in the transport 55 comprise one or more rollers57 (motorized and/or non-motorized) that are configured to support thefood product 200 as it passes from one portion of the conveyor belt 55to another. Of course, instead of rollers, the system can have any othercomponent that is configured to support the food product as it issprayed, including, without limitation, one or more perforated platesand/or other supports. Additionally, in some embodiments, the gap is sosmall that no additional supports are needed.

In some other embodiments (as illustrated in FIG. 20D, in which the foodtransport 55 comprises two belts 56 (and/or other suitable foodtransportation mechanisms), the second nozzle head 125 b is configuredto spray injectate in between the two belts and then into (and/or onto)the food product 200.

Where the system 10 comprises more than one nozzle head 125, the variousheads can perform any suitable function that allows the system tofunction as intended. Indeed, in some embodiments, multiple nozzle headsin the system are configured to spray the same injectate (e.g., atapproximately the same time, at approximately the same pressure, at adifferent time, and/or at a different pressure). Accordingly, in someembodiments, the use of multiple nozzle heads allows the system to apply(e.g., inject) the injectate to a food product more rapidly than couldotherwise be achieved with a single head. As a result, in some suchembodiments, the system is configured to treat more food product in ashorter period of time than could be achieved with a single nozzle head.

Although in some embodiments, each nozzle head 125 in the systemperforms the same function (e.g., sprays injectate through its nozzlesat the same time, at the same pressure, etc.), in some otherembodiments, one or more nozzle heads in the system are configured toperform a different function than another nozzle head of the system. Forinstance, one nozzle support may be used to: apply (e.g., inject) adifferent injectate (e.g., a flavoring instead of a tenderizer), applyan injectate at a different pressure, apply a different amount of theinjectate, apply injectate through a different size orifice, be at adifferent distance from the food product, be at a different locationwith respect to a food product (e.g., be above, below, on an oppositeside to, at an angle to, and/or any other orientation), to move at adifferent time, to move to a different extent, and/or to otherwiseperform a different function (and/or function in different manner) thananother nozzle head in the system.

Additionally, the spray nozzle heads 125 can comprise any suitablecharacteristic that allows them to place one or more spray nozzles 50within a desired distance from a food product. Indeed, in someembodiments, one or more spray nozzle heads is: shaped to substantiallymatch a contour of a food product, selectively re-shapable (e.g., viaone or more swivel unions, hoses, connector rings, clamps, adjustableconnections, and/or otherwise) to substantially match a contour of thefood product), movable (e.g., in shape, in position, manually,automatically, as directed by one or more sensors, to adjust fordifferent food products, and/or otherwise) to help keep the nozzles atone or more desired distances from the food product, and/or is otherwiseconfigured to keep one or more specific nozzles at one or more desireddistances from a surface of the food product (e.g., between 0.1 inchesand 10 inches from the food product, or any suitable subrange thereof,such as between about 1.5 and about 3.5 inches, depending on thecharacteristics of the food product and the desired treatment).

The system 10 can further be configured in any suitable manner thatallows it to spray injectate into multiple locations on a single foodproduct. Indeed, in some embodiments, the system is configured to movethe one or more nozzles 50 (e.g., via one or more nozzle heads 125and/or in any other suitable manner) with respect to the food product.In some other embodiments, however, the system is configured to move thefood product with respect to one or more nozzles (e.g., with respect toone or more heads). In still other embodiments, the system is configuredto move both the food product and the nozzles (e.g., the heads) withrespect to each other as the system treats the food product.

Where the system 10 is configured to move a food product with respect tothe nozzles 50 (e.g., the nozzle heads 125), the system can comprise anysuitable components that allow it to accomplish such a function,including, without limitation, one or more conveyor belts (e.g., wire,wire mesh, rubber, plastic, chain, slat, roller, metal, hinge metal,screen cloth, and/or other suitable conveyor belts), roller conveyorsystems, augers, servos, food product hanging systems (e.g., rail orotherwise), moving baskets or containers, actuators, motors, movingplatforms, rotating surfaces, and/or other suitable food producttransports that are powered in any suitable manner, including, withoutlimitation, via one or more motors, pneumatic actuators, linearactuators, servos, hydraulic actuators, electric actuators, mechanicalactuators, air cylinders, and/or other mechanical movement devices. Byway of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 1A shows an embodiment in whichthe food product transport 55 comprises a motor driven conveyor belt(e.g., a wire mesh conveyor, a chain belt, and/or any other suitablebelt).

With respect now to the purge valve 60, some embodiments of the system10 optionally comprise one or more such valves. While such purge valvescan perform any suitable function, in some embodiments, they areconfigured to be manually and/or automatically (e.g., via the computerprocessing unit and/or otherwise) opened and closed such that air,injectate, and/or other materials can be purged from the system. Indeed,in some embodiments, the purge valves allow air, water, detergents,vinegar, ozone, and/or other cleaning agents to be run through anddrained from the system. Additionally, while some embodiments of thepurge valve are configured to open and close mechanically, in some otherembodiments, the purge valve comprises a valve that is permeable togases (e.g., air) and impermeable to liquid (e.g., injectate).

With respect now to the wash apparatus 65 (which may also be referred toas a clean-in-place apparatus), in some embodiments, the system 10comprises one or more wash apparatuses that are configured to provideone or more cleaning agents and/or rinsing agents (e.g., water and/orany other suitable rinse) to the system. In such embodiments, the washapparatus can comprise any suitable component or characteristic thatallows it to rinse and/or otherwise clean one or more components of thesystem. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 1A shows that, in someembodiments, the wash apparatus 65 comprises one or more water filters130 (e.g., carbon filters, activated carbon filters, depth filters,screen filters, surface filters, reverse osmosis filters, ceramicfilters, membrane filters, deionization filters, distillation filters,ion exchange filters, mechanical filters, ultraviolet filters,ultraviolet lights, water softeners, stainless steel element filters,sintered filter elements filters, sintered tin bronze element filters,metal fiber felt element filters, nickel element filters, paper filters,and/or any other suitable filter that is able to filter undesirablematerials from a water source, such as a potable water source 135 (asillustrated in FIG. 1A)); water softeners 140 (e.g., a salt system,ion-exchange polymer system, and/or any other suitable water softeningsystem); reverse osmosis systems 145 (e.g., one or more reversesemipermeable membranes); reservoirs for cleaning materials 150 (e.g.,ozone, ozonated water, purified water, one or more soaps, detergents,vinegar, and/or other cleaning agents); reservoirs for rinse water(e.g., purified rinse water) 155; and/or pumps 156 (e.g., low pressurepumps configured to provide fluid from the wash apparatus to theinjection pump 25). In some embodiments, the wash apparatus waterfilters comprise one or more high pressure hydraulic filters (e.g.,stainless element high press filters, as produced by Norman FilterCompany, LLC of Bridgeview, Ill., USA and/or any other suitable entity).

Thus, in some embodiments, after the system 10 has been used (e.g.,after a work shift, between the use of different injectates in thesystem, after servicing the system, before the systems first use, etc.),the wash apparatus 65 is used to clean one or more components of thesystem (e.g., the pre-filter 20, the injection pump 25, the pressureregulator 30, the injection filter 35, the pressure sensors 40, thedwell time valve 45, the nozzles 50, the nozzle heads 125, one or moreconduits 160 that fluidly connect the system's various components,and/or any other suitable portion of the system). In such embodiments,the materials that are used to clean the system can be disposed of inany suitable manner, including, without limitation, by being directed toa drain (e.g., via a drain conduit 165 or otherwise) and/or a storagetank (e.g., the injectate tank 15, a storage tank in the wash apparatus,etc.). In this regard, while the materials that are purged from thesystem via the purge valves 60 can be directed to an injectate tank, insome embodiments, the system is configured to prevent injectate that hasbeen sprayed from the nozzles 50 from being mixed with (and potentiallycontaminating) injectate that has not been sprayed from the nozzles(e.g., unused injectate in the tank and/or injectate that returns to thetank via bypass line 33 and/or one or more drain conduits 165).

Turning now to the demister 70, some embodiments of the system 10optionally comprise one or more demisters 70 that are configured to drawair (e.g., one or more gases) and/or vapor from the system (e.g., thecabinet 90, which is discussed below). In this regard, the demister canperform any suitable function, including, without limitation,destructing ozone; preventing toxic or potentially toxic gases and/orvapors (e.g., ozone, lactic acid vapor, etc.) from flowing out of thesystem (e.g., cabinet 90) where they could cause harm to an operatorand/or other person; preventing cross-contamination; collecting and/orcondensing vapors, which may otherwise condense in the system and allowfor bacterial breeding and bacterial rain to condense and fall from asurface of the system; removing smoke, steam, evaporated injectate,and/or any other suitable material from air in the cabinet; and/orcarrying out any other suitable purpose.

While the demister 70 can comprise any suitable component that allows itto draw air and/or vapor from the system 10, in some embodiments, thedemister comprises one or more fans, impellors, suction systems,diffusers, condensers (e.g., condenser 72, as shown in FIG. 1A),moisture eliminators, hoods, collectors, ozone destructors, and/or anyother suitable components. In this regard, one example of a demister isthe ozone destructor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,696,796 entitledSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING OFF-GASSED OZONE, and filed Dec. 3,2012. In another example, while some embodiments of the demistercomprise a fan, vacuum, and/or other ventilation device that is disposedbetween the cabinet 70 and a diffuser, condenser, moisture eliminator,vent, and/or other component configured to remove liquids from airpulled from the cabinet (collectively and individually, a liquideliminator), in other embodiments, the liquid eliminator is disposedbetween the cabinet and the fan and/or other ventilation device that isconfigured to draw air from within the cabinet through the demister.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the liquid eliminator protects theventilation device from unwanted condensation, contact, and/orcontamination with moisture from inside the cabinet.

Turning now to the computer processing unit 75, some embodiments of thesystem 10 optionally comprise one or more programmable logic controllersand/or other processing units (some embodiments of which are discussedbelow in more detail). In this regard, the processing unit can performany suitable function, including, without limitation, providing power toany suitable portion of the system; controlling the pumps (e.g., 25,105, 156, etc.), the pressure regulators 30, the food product transports55, the demisters 70, the valves (e.g., 45, 60, 120, etc.), movement ofthe nozzle heads 125, the wash apparatuses 65, the wash apparatus pump156, the cooling systems 110, the pressure sensors (e.g., 40, 44, 46,etc.), the sensors 80, the scales 85, and/or any other suitable portionsof the system; operating any suitable portion of the system (e.g., aslisted above); running diagnostics on one or more portions of thesystem; adjusting the operating parameters of any suitable portion ofthe system; optimizing any suitable operating parameters (e.g.,injectate temperatures, nozzle spray pressure, nozzle spray time, foodproduct transport speed, load advancement, demister speed, and/or anyother suitable parameter) of any suitable portion of the system based onone or more specific characteristics of specific food products,injectates, and/or other desired factors; determining the status of anysuitable components of the system (e.g., the tanks 15, the filters(e.g., 20, 35; etc.), the pumps (e.g., 25, 105, 156, etc.), the pressureregulators 30, the food product transports 55, the demisters 70, thevalves (e.g., 45, 60, 120, etc.), the nozzle heads 125, the washapparatuses 65, the wash apparatus pumps 156, the cooling systems 110;the pressure sensors (e.g., 40, 44, 46, etc.), the sensors 80, thescales 85, and/or any other suitable portions of the system; diagnosingerrors with one or more components of the system; stopping and/orstarting any suitable components of the system; determining when one ormore nozzles 50 are partially and/or completely occluded; moving thenozzles and/or nozzle heads; moving the food treatment transport;determining the amount of injectate that has passed through one or morenozzle heads; determining the amount of injectate that has been injectedinto one or more specific food products; controlling UV lights and/orsystem decontaminating apparatus; determining whether the food producttransport is jammed and/or gummed up; reporting on the status of anysuitable components of the system; trouble shooting errors with thesystem; controlling system cleaning; controlling nozzle cleaning; and/orotherwise monitoring and governing any suitable components and/orparameters of the system.

In some additional non-limiting examples of suitable functions of theprocessing unit 75, some embodiments of the processing unit: determinepressures within the injectate tank 15; determine injectate levelswithin the injectate tank; determine and controls the temperature ofinjectate within the injectate tank; power on and off and/or varies aspeed and pressure produced by one or more pumps and/or otherwisecontrols a fluid pressure provided by such (e.g., pumps 25, 105, and/or156); adjust a pressure limit on the pressure restrictor 30; determinesa cleanliness of the injectate filter 35; determine an amount of fluidthat has passed through the filters (e.g., 130, 20, 35, etc.); open andclose and determine a status of the dwell time valve 45; determine thepressures measured by the various pressure sensors (e.g., 40, 42, 44,46, etc.); control a speed at which, a status of, and when the foodproduct transport (and/or food product transport driver 73) moves andstops; determine a status of and opens and closes the purge valve 60;move the food product to a desired location with respect to the nozzles50 (e.g., via the food product transport 55 and/or otherwise); move oneor more of the nozzles to a desired location with respect to the foodproduct; determine a status of and turns on and off and otherwisecontrols the demister 70, including one or more individual componentsthereof; control network communications (as discussed below); control auser interface (as discussed below); control and receive informationfrom the scale system 85; respond to one or more emergency stop switches(e.g., switches 180, shown in FIG. 1A); and/or perform any otherfunctions that allow the processing unit to control, monitor,troubleshoot, record data from, communicated data, and/or otherwisegovern the food treatment system 10.

By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 1A shows that, in someembodiments, power and/or signal output are provided (as illustrated bylines 170) from the processing unit 75 to various components of thesystem 10 and signal input (as shown by lines 175) is provided from somesuch components (e.g., the injectate tank pumps 105, the pressuresensors 100 in the injectate tanks 15, the injection pumps 25, thepressure regulators 30, the injectate filters 35, the pressure sensors40, the dwell time valves 45, the purge valves 60, the food producttransports 55, the wash apparatus pumps 156, the demisters 70, the foodproduct sensors 80, valves 120, the scale systems 85, and/or any othersuitable components) back to the processing unit.

In some embodiments (as mentioned), the processing unit 75 gathersinformation (e.g., from one or more scales, probes (as discussed below),users, tests, sensors, gauges, safety sensors, and/or any other suitablesources) and uses such information to optimize and/or control the system10 (e.g., via a continuous feedback loop and/or otherwise). While suchinformation can be used to optimize the system in any suitable manner,in some embodiments, such information is used to optimize (e.g.,automatically, to notify a user to optimize, and/or to otherwiseoptimize): injectate recipes, injectate spray time, injectate pressure,injectate temperature, the amount of injectate that is applied to foodproducts, injectate spray depth, how far a food product moves betweeninjectate applications, distances between food products and one or morenozzles 50, distances between food products on the food producttransport 55, timing of cleaning cycles, length of cleaning cycles,cleaning pressures, nozzle head rotation, cleaning cycle parameters, UVlight use parameters, and/or any other suitable characteristic orparameter of the system and its method of functioning. Thus, in someembodiments, as the system functions and gathers data, the system isable to use such data to automatically (and/or as directed by a user)improve the functioning of the system (e.g., to produce better foodproduct, to waste less food product, to waste less injectate, etc.).

In some embodiments, the processing unit 75 is in communication with amodem (e.g., modem 185) and/or another suitable network interface (asdescribed below in more detail). In such embodiments, this networkinterface can perform any suitable function, including, withoutlimitation, connecting the described system 10 to a server comprisingsoftware to run the system; recording and monitoring informationregarding the use of the system; allowing programs and applications tobe added to, deleted from, updated on, and/or to otherwise be modifiedon the system; allowing information from one or more systems to begathered; allowing for the system to be controlled, troubleshot, and/ormonitored remotely; and/or allowing the system and its components to beremotely monitored, adjusted, updated, diagnosed, fixed, actuated,deactivated, and/or otherwise controlled. Indeed, in some embodiments,the system is configured such that it will not tenderize, provideintervention to, pump up, and/or otherwise treat a food product unlessthe system is properly connected to a network (e.g., cloud 190).Accordingly, in some embodiments, an administrator can ensure that thesystem is not used without permission, can monitor system use, cancharge royalties based on use (and/or any other factor), and/or canotherwise monitor and control the system.

In some embodiments (as mentioned), the processing unit 75 is furtherconnected to a user interface and/or another input and/or output device195 (a touchscreen or other device, as discussed below, and asillustrated in FIG. 1A). In this regard, the input/output device canserve any suitable function, including, without limitation, providing auser with an interface for operating, determining the status of,adjusting, controlling, diagnosing, and/or otherwise observing andgoverning the function of the system 10.

In some embodiments, the system further comprises one or more scalesystems 85. In this regard, the scale systems can comprise any suitablecomponent that allows the system 10 to determine how much injectate hasbeen added into one or more food products by the system and/or any othersuitable information (e.g., how much of the injectate that is sprayed isnot retained by a food product, etc.). By way of non-limitingillustration, FIG. 1A (and FIGS. 1F-1H) show that, in some embodiments,the scale system 85 comprises an in motion scale (and/or other suitablescale) having both an “in” scale 86 and an “out” scale 87, with the inscale being disposed prior to the spray nozzles 50 and the out scalebeing disposed after the spray nozzles.

In some embodiments in which the system 10 comprises an in 86 and an out87 scale, the scale system 85 can measure how much injectate has beenreceived by any suitable number of food products. In one example, thescale system 85 determines a weight of one food product before beinginjected with injectate and then determines the weight of that same foodproduct after it has been injected to determine how much injectate hasremained within the food product. In another example, however, the scalesystem is configured to measure the weight of multiple food productsthat enter and leave the system over a period of time (e.g., per minute,per hour, etc.). In this example, the system 10 can determine an averageamount of injectate that is retained within the food products that passthrough the system. Moreover, in accordance with some embodiments, ifthe processing unit 75 (and/or a user/administrator) determines thatmore or less injectate should be applied to the food product, theprocessing unit automatically records such data, notifies a user and/oradministrator, and/or changes the system's operating parameters (e.g.,“on the fly”. As directed by the user/administrator, or otherwise) toensure that a desired amount of injectate is applied to and/or withinthe food product and/or to further optimize the system's operations.

With regards to the food product sensors 80, some embodiments of thesystem 10 optionally comprise one or more food product sensors 80 (e.g.,as shown in FIG. 1A) that are configured to determine a size, height,width, length, shape, contour, position, mass, and/or othercharacteristic of a food product passing through the system. While thesystem can comprise any suitable type of sensors (e.g., one or moretypes of sonar, electronic eyes, light beam sensors, laser sensors,photoelectric sensors, tactile sensors, cameras, motion detectors,proximity sensors, infrared sensors, photodetectors, fiber-opticsensors, safety sensors, and/or any other suitable sensor), in someembodiments, the sensors comprise one or more electric eyes.

Where the system 10 comprises one or more food product sensors 80, thesensors can perform any suitable function. Indeed, in some embodiments,the sensors determine when a food product is passing in proximity to thenozzles 50 (thus indicating when the system should inject injectate). Insome other embodiments, the system comprises one or more sensors thatdetect a food product before it reaches the nozzles 50, thus, allowingthe nozzles to begin spraying (e.g., and/or purging air in the nozzlehead 125) before and/or as the food product comes into proximity withthe nozzles. In still other embodiments, the sensors further determinethe proximity of a food product to the nozzles (e.g., the nozzle heads125), thus allowing the system to automatically change the distancebetween the nozzles and the food product. By way of non-limitingillustration, FIGS. 2A-2B show that in some embodiments, the system 10is configured to move the spray nozzle head 125 (e.g., via one or moremotors, pneumatic actuators, linear actuators, servos, hydraulicactuators, electric actuators, mechanical actuators, and/or othersuitable mechanical movement devices) to be a desired distance (e.g.,between about 0.1 and about 10 inches, or any sub-range thereof) from asurface of the food product 200. Indeed, in some embodiments, the systemis configured to maintain one or more spray nozzles within a distancebetween about 0.2 inches and about 0.8 inches from a surface of a foodproduct that is being treated. In this regard, in some embodiments, thesensors 80 allow the spray nozzle head to be substantially maintained ata desired distance from a food product by adjusting to the variouscontours of a specific food product.

In another example (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 2C-2F), the system 10is configured to move a portion of the food product closer to and/orfurther from the nozzles 50. While this can be accomplished in anysuitable manner, in some embodiments, as one or more food productsensors 80 determine a size, contour, and/or other characteristic of oneor more specific food products, the system (e.g., the processing unit75) causes the food product transport 55 to move the food product closerto and/or farther from one or more nozzle heads 125 (e.g., by moving aportion of the transport closer to the head via the use of one or moremotors, pneumatic actuators, linear actuators, servos, hydraulicactuators, electric actuators, mechanical actuators, air cylinders,pulley systems, rail systems, and/or other mechanical movement devices).Indeed, as shown in FIGS. 2C-2F, in some embodiments, a portion of aconveyor belt 57 is configured to be raised and/or lowered to maintainthe food product (not shown in FIGS. 2C-2F) at a desired distance fromthe nozzle heads 125 (e.g., by raising a portion of a carry way thatsupports the conveyor belt, allowing end rollers of the conveyor belt tocome closer together and/or further apart, and/or in any other suitablemanner).

In some implementations, one or more nozzle heads 125 are configured tobe moved toward and/or away from a food product 200. In this regard, thenozzle heads can be moved in any suitable manner, including, withoutlimitation, by being moved manually, automatically, and/or in any othersuitable manner. In some cases, however, at least one nozzle and/ornozzle head comprising multiple nozzles is coupled to one or more linearactuators, linear bearings, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic actuators,motors, robotic arms, movable frames, supports, shelves, scaffolds,movable arms, and/or other suitable actuators and/or supports that areconfigured to move the nozzle (e.g., based on user preference, aprogrammatic setting, the size and/or position of a food product asdetermined by one or more sensors and/or users, one or morecharacteristics of the injectate and/or the food product, and/or anyother suitable factor).

By way of non-limiting illustration, FIGS. 2G-2M show that, in someembodiments, one or more nozzles 50 or nozzle heads 125 are coupled to amoveable framework 500. While such a framework can function in anysuitable manner, FIG. 2G shows that, in some embodiments, the framework500 comprises a gantry, a scaffold, and/or any other support structure.Additionally, FIG. 2G show that some embodiments of the frame compriseone or more actuators 505 (e.g., linear actuators) that are configuredto raise, lower, and/or otherwise move one or more nozzle heads 125(e.g., based on one or more food product sensor 80 readings, based onthe size and/or other characteristics of one or more particular foodproducts, and/or any other suitable factor).

Although some embodiments of the described system 10 are configured tomove one or more nozzle heads 125 by themselves, in some otherembodiments, the system is configured to move one or more injectionmanifolds, dwell time valves, risers, sensors, and/or any other suitablecomponent with the nozzle heads. Indeed, in some embodiments (as shownin FIG. 2G), one or more valves 45 are maintained in relatively closeproximity with the nozzle head 125 (e.g., by being moved with the nozzlehead) to provide increased response time to valve operation andthroughput of the system.

Thus, in some embodiments, the system 10 is configured to move the foodproduct to maintain the food product at a desired distance (e.g.,between about 0.1 and about 10 inches, or any sub-range thereof) fromone or more nozzles 50. Indeed, in some embodiments, the system isconfigured to maintain the food product within a distance between about0.2 inches and about 0.8 inches (or any sub-range thereof) from anozzle. In this regard, the sensors 80, in some embodiments of thesystem, allow the food product to be substantially maintained at adesired distance from one or more spray nozzles by adjusting a portionof the transport to move the food product based on the various contoursof the food product.

Turning now to the cabinet 90, some embodiments (and as illustrated inFIGS. 3-8 ) of the system 10 comprise one or more cabinets 90 that areconfigured to house one or more components of the system. In thisregard, the cabinet can have any suitable feature. For example, FIGS.3-4 show that, in accordance with some embodiments, the cabinet 90comprises a chamber 205 that is configured to house the spray nozzles 50(not shown in either of FIGS. 3-4 ) and to contain the food product (notshown in either of FIGS. 3-4 ) as it is treated. In such embodiments,the cabinet can perform any suitable function, including, withoutlimiting, directing vapors and gases to the demister 70, preventing auser from being exposed to undesirable amounts of injectate spray and/oroff-gassing, and/or any other suitable purpose.

In another example, one or more internal surfaces of the cabinet 90 areconfigured to direct condensation in the cabinet to a desired location(e.g., a drain, a storage container, etc.). By way of non-limitingillustration, FIG. 4 shows that, in some embodiments, a lower tray 207and/or lid 211 of the cabinet 90 is sloped and/or otherwise configuredto direct excess injectate, blood, food-product drippage, and othermaterials to a drain 209. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, thecabinet may prevent (and/or reduce an amount of) condensation that formsin the cabinet from dripping on a food product disposed therein. Whilesuch a function can be accomplished in any suitable manner, in someembodiments, one or more surfaces of a lid of the cabinet are sloped atan angle that allows condensation that forms on such lid to be directedaway from food products within the cabinet.

In another example, FIGS. 5-6 show that, in some embodiments, thecabinet 90 comprises one or more separate compartments (e.g.,compartments 210 and 215). While these two compartments can perform anysuitable function, in some embodiments, one compartment 210 comprisessome electronic components of the system (e.g., the processing unit 75),while the other compartment 215 comprises the injection pump 25 and/orany other components that may potentially be exposed to leaks ofinjectate and/or other liquids that pass through the system 10.

Where the cabinet 90 comprises one or more compartments (e.g.,compartments 210 and 215), the compartments can comprise any suitablefeature. In this regard, some embodiments of the cabinet comprise one ormore doors with one or more seals. By way of non-limiting illustration,FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which the cabinet 90 comprises two doors220 and 225 comprising a seal and/or lip 226 that extends exteriorly,and wherein a portion of the edging 230 around the door is configured toslope away from the opening of the corresponding compartment to helpdirect any liquids that fall or condense on such edging away from suchcompartment.

In addition to the aforementioned features, the described food treatmentsystem 10 can be modified in any suitable manner that allows it to treata food product. In one example, the system comprises one or more UVlights that are configured to kill, disable, log reduce, and/orotherwise reduce microbes in any suitable portion of the system 10.Accordingly, in some embodiments, such lights are used to keep one ormore portions of the food treatment system and/or a food product that istreated thereby, sanitary.

In another example, the described system 10 is configured to providemultiple injectates (e.g., one or more tenderizers, coloring agents,flavoring agents, etc.) to a food product passing there through. Whilethis can be accomplished in any suitable manner, in some embodiments,the system comprises two more separate injectate tanks 15 and two ormore separate pumps (e.g., pump 25), injection filters 35, and/or spraynozzle heads 125 that are each configured to independently deliver adifferent injectate to one or more food products.

In still another example, some embodiments of the system 10 areconfigured to apply one or more injectates to a food product in morethan one manner. In this example, the injectate(s) can be applied to thefood product via one or more external application techniques (e.g.,spraying, misting, soaking, pouring, an injectate curtain, and/or anyother suitable method); internal injection techniques (e.g., injectiontechniques using needles and/or other objects that penetrate the foodproduct); injection techniques in which no nozzles, needles, and/orother objects penetrate the food product to inject the injectate, and/orany other suitable injection technique; and/or any other suitablemethods. Indeed, in some embodiments, an injectate (or solution) isapplied to an outer surface of a food product (e.g., as a decontaminant,colorant, seasoning, etc.) and one or more injectates are injected at ahigh pressure to one or more depths into the food product, without anozzle, needle, and/or other object penetrating the food product toinject the injectate.

In yet another example, some embodiments of the described system 10comprise one or more probes and/or other sensors that are configured todetect one or more characteristics of a food product that is treated bythe system. While such a probe and/or sensor can perform any suitablefunction, including, without limitation, measuring, sensing, andotherwise determining a tenderness, texture, pH, moisture, temperature,color, size, fat composition, composition, moisture content, freshness,ripeness, and/or any other suitable characteristic of a food product, insome embodiments, one or more probes are used to measure a tenderness ofa food product (and/or a test piece of a food product) at one or moretimes (e.g., before, during, and/or after injectate is applied to thefood product). Indeed, in some embodiments, the described system isconfigured to measure the tenderness of a food product before and afterit is treated.

Where the system 10 comprises one or more probes for measuring foodproduct tenderness, the probes can function in any suitable manner.Indeed, in accordance with some embodiments, FIG. 9 shows that eachprobe 240 comprises a probe tip 245 that is connected to a strain gauge250 such that when the probe tip is forced against a food product, thestrain gauge is able to measure a resistance to pressure and/orotherwise obtain a relative tenderness of such food product.Additionally, while the system can comprise any suitable number ofprobes, FIGS. 9-14 show some embodiments in which the system 10comprises two probes 240 with one being disposed before and one beingdisposed after the cabinet 90. Thus, in some such embodiments, thesystem can measure tenderness (and/or one or more other characteristics)of a food product before and after the product is treated withinjectate.

Once such one or more probes 240 obtain information regarding thetenderness (and/or any other suitable characteristic) of a food product,such information can be used in any suitable manner. Indeed, inaccordance with some embodiments, FIG. 15 shows that the processing unit75 is configured (e.g., via one or more probe interfaces 260) to record,store, analyze, average, summarize, display, and/or otherwise manipulatesuch information; adjust injectate application (e.g., adjust injectatepressure, spray time, temperature, penetration depth, etc.), adjust thefood product transport's 55 movements, and/or adjust any other parameterof the system 10 based on the obtained information; and/or otherwise usethe data/information obtained from such probes.

Thus, in some embodiments, the described systems and methods areconfigured to transform a food product into a treated food product(e.g., to transform a rough piece of meat into a tender one, totransform a contaminated food product into a decontaminated foodproduct, etc.). Moreover, some embodiments of the system 10 are furtherconfigured to measure one or more characteristics of food products beingtreated and to adjust operation of the system to produce food productshaving one or more desired characteristics.

In some embodiments, where a probe 240 is used to contact, and therebytest, one or more food products (or food product samples), such a probeis not cleaned between tests. In other embodiments, however, the probeis heated; dipped, sprayed with, bathed with, wiped with, and/orotherwise treated with a sanitizing agent; exposed to UV light; and/orotherwise cleansed. While such cleansing can be accomplished in anysuitable manner, in some embodiments, a sanitizing agent is sprayed onand/or otherwise applied to the tip between tests. In some otherembodiments, however, the described system 10 is configured to move theprobe tips 245 between a testing position and a sanitation position inwhich a sanitizing agent is applied (via dipping the probe tip in theagent and/or otherwise applying the agent to the tip), such that thetips can be cleaned between tests (and/or at any other suitable time).

In another example of a suitable modification, in some embodiments, oneor more components of the system 10 (e.g., the food product transport 55and/or any other suitable components) are configured to be cleaned(e.g., by being readily removable, by being configured to be cleanedwhile coupled to the system, and/or in any other suitable manner).Indeed, in some embodiments, the food product transport comprises one ormore removable conveyor belts, shaft rails, and/or other parts forcleaning. Moreover, in some embodiments, the system comprises one ormore continuous belt cleaners, UV lights, spraying mechanisms, washingmechanisms, and/or other features that allow one or more components ofthe system to readily be washed, rinsed, sanitized, and/or otherwisecleaned.

In another example of a suitable modification, although some embodimentsof the described system 10 are configured to ensure that injectate thatis sprayed through the nozzle head 125 is not recirculated through thesystem (e.g., to avoid contaminating unused injectate with pathogensand/or debris from the sprayed food product), in some other embodiments,the system is optionally configured to collect injectate that has beensprayed and/or otherwise released from one or more nozzle heads and tothen recirculate that injectate back through the nozzle heads.

Where the system 10 is configured to recirculate injectate that is beensprayed through a nozzle 50, such a recirculation process can beaccomplished in any suitable manner. Indeed, in some embodiments, afterthe injectate is sprayed, it is collected in one or more fluidcollection systems, filtered (e.g., via one or more screens, sieves,colanders, paper filters, synthetic filers, meshes, catches, and/orother filters or filtering mechanisms), and then passed through ablender.

By way of non-limiting illustration, FIGS. 19A-19E show some embodimentsof a system 510 for recirculating injectate that has been sprayedthrough the system 10. In particular FIG. 19A illustrates that, in someembodiments, the recirculation system 510 comprises a first collector515 (e.g., a sloped pan, a funnel, and/or other object that isconfigured to capture injectate after it is sprayed). Additionally,FIGS. 19A-19E show that the collected injectate can be strained (e.g.,via one or more screens 520, sieves, colanders, paper filters, syntheticfilers, meshes, catches, and/or other filters or filtering mechanisms)as it passes from the first collector 515 to a second collector 520 toremove any large debris (e.g., debris over 300 micrometers in size orany other desired size). Furthermore, FIGS. 19A-19E show that, in someembodiments the system 10 further comprises one or more shear blenders,blenders, stators, stator pumps, rotor-stator pumps, positivedisplacement pumps, rotor pumps, screw pumps, twin screw pumps, liquidring pumps, piston pumps, circumferential piston pumps, helical rotarylobe pumps, rotary lobe pumps, suction and low pulsation helical lobepumps, bi-wing lobe pumps, centrifugal pumps, chopper pumps, circulatorpumps, cryogenic pumps, multi-stage pumps, diaphragm pumps, and/or othersuitable pumps that are configured to mix the injectate and to break upparticulate matter. Indeed, in some embodiments, the system 10 comprisesa shear blender, such as the FS Shear Blender produced by Fristam Pumpsof Middleton Wis., USA, and/or any other entity, which can blend massesin the injectate to produce a homogenous solution with particles of anysuitable size (e.g., any size less than about 200 micrometers, such asless than about 80 micrometers).

In some embodiments, once the relatively large particles and/or othermasses have been filtered out of the injectate and the injectate hasbeen passed through one or more shear blenders (and/or other suitablemixers) the homogenized, it is pumped and/or otherwise introduced backinto the system (e.g., directly into the system, into a holding tank,the injectate tank 15, and/or to any other suitable location).

In still another example of a potential modification, some embodimentsof the described system 10 comprise one or more self-cleaning nozzleheads 125. In such embodiments, the nozzle heads can clean themselves inany suitable manner, including, without limitation, by being flushedwith one or more rinse and/or cleaning agents (e.g., from the washapparatus 65 (or elsewhere)), by being placed in an ultrasonic bath, byvibrating (e.g., ultrasonically or otherwise), by contacting and/or bybeing contacted (e.g., by being sprayed with, dipped in, and/orotherwise coming in contact) with a cleaning and/or rinse agent, and/orin any other suitable manner.

In some embodiments, however, the nozzle head 125 is configured to rinse(and/or otherwise clean) one or more sets of nozzles 50 while anotherset, or multiple sets, of nozzles are configured to apply injectate to afood product. Thus, in some embodiments, the system 10 can clean a firstset of nozzles while a second set is injecting (or otherwise applying)injectate. Similarly, in some embodiments, while the first set ofnozzles is spraying injectate, the second set of nozzles can be cleaned.As a result, in some embodiments, the system's nozzles can continuallybe cleaned, without necessarily taking the system offline and preventingit from treating food products.

Where the nozzle head 125 comprises multiple sets of nozzles 50 and isconfigured to allow one set of nozzles to apply injectate while anotherset is being cleaned, the nozzle head can comprise any suitablecomponent or characteristic that allows it to function in such a manner.By way of illustration, FIGS. 16A-16E show some embodiments in which thenozzle head 125 comprises multiple sets of nozzles 50. In particular,while the head can comprise any suitable number of nozzle sets(including, without limitation, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more),with a set being one or more nozzles in a given location (e.g., one sideof the head, a portion of the head, in one general location, etc.),FIGS. 16C and 16D show some embodiments in which the nozzle head 125comprises a conduit 300 having a first set 305 and a second set 310 ofnozzles 50. Additionally, while FIGS. 16C and 16D show that, in someembodiments, the first 305 and second 310 sets of nozzles 50 aredisposed on substantially opposite portions of the conduit, in someother embodiments, the nozzle sets are disposed in any other suitablelocation that allows the self-cleaning head to function as describedherein.

In some embodiments, in which the nozzle head 125 comprises multiplesets of nozzles 50 (e.g., the first 305 and second 310 sets), the headis configured such that when one set of nozzles (e.g., the first set305) is in a spray position (or a position in which it can applyinjectate to a food product), one or more other sets of nozzles (e.g.,the second set 310) is in a cleaning position (or a position in whichfluid can be passed through such nozzles without being applied to thefood product). While the head can be configured to move the various setsof nozzles between the spray and the cleaning position in any suitablemanner, including, without limitation, by rotating the conduit, slidingthe conduit, translating the conduit, and/or otherwise moving theconduit between the cleaning position and the spray position (or viceversa), FIGS. 16A-16E illustrate some embodiments in which the conduit300 is configured to rotate between the spray and the cleaning positionand vice versa (e.g., via one or more motors, pneumatic actuators,linear actuators, servos, hydraulic actuators, electric actuators,mechanical actuators, air cylinders, and/or other mechanical movementdevice).

While the nozzle head 125 can function in any suitable manner, FIGS. 16Cand 16D show that, in some embodiments, when a nozzle set (e.g., thefirst 305 or the second 310 set) is in the spray position, injectate isintroduced through one or more inlet channels 315 (e.g., in thedirection of arrow 320), where it is allowed to be sprayed from theadjoining nozzles 50. Additionally, FIG. 16C shows that, in someembodiments, the nozzle head 125 comprises one or more risers 325extending from, and in fluid communication with, the channels 315corresponding to the nozzle set that is in the spray position. In thisregard, the risers can comprise any channel, duct, recess, canal,tubing, piping, and/or other feature that allows one or more gases(e.g., air) that are introduced into the nozzle head prior to and/orwith the injectate to rise above the injectate in the channel and to bevented out of the nozzle head (e.g., via one or more ducts (such as anduct 335, in the direction of arrow 340), through one or more purgevalves 60, by being drained to the injectate tank 15 and/or a drain viaone or more drain conduits 165, by being be vented to air, etc.) withoutbeing forced through one or more nozzles.

While the risers 325 can be disposed in any suitable location, FIG. 16Cshows an embodiment in which the riser 325 is disposed in an endcap 330,which allows the riser to be used to vent air (and/or other gases) fromeither the first 305 or the second 310 set of nozzles 50 when either setis in the spray position. Thus, in some embodiments, as injectate isintroduced into a channel (e.g., inlet channel 315) when a set ofnozzles is in the spray position (e.g., the first set 305, as shown inFIG. 16C), air (and/or other gases) that is introduced into the channelcan rise above the injectate and be purged from the system. In someembodiments, once air has been purged from the nozzle head 125, thesystem 10 can function in any suitable manner, including, withoutlimitation, by closing the purge valve 60; by leaving the purge valveopen to allow any residual air to escape the heads without passingthrough the nozzles, with any injectate that passes through purge valve(e.g., without contacting the food product) being redirected to theinjectate tank 15; by allowing air to escape the purge value whilepreventing liquids from also escaping the valve; and/or in another othersuitable manner.

FIGS. 16C and 16D further show that, in accordance with someembodiments, when one or more sets of nozzles 50 (e.g., the second set310, as shown in FIGS. 16C-16D) are in the cleaning position, the systemis configured to introduce one or more cleaning and/or rinsing agentsinto one or more corresponding inlet channels 317 (e.g., in thedirection of arrow 349) and to force such agents through the channelsand corresponding nozzles. Accordingly, by forcing the fluids throughthe channels and nozzles (e.g., via the wash apparatus 65 and/orotherwise), the system can remove unwanted debris, mineral build up,and/or other materials from the nozzles. Additionally, while someembodiments of the nozzle head comprise one or more risers that areconfigured to allow air to be purged from the nozzle set that is in thecleaning position, FIG. 16C shows that, in some embodiments, the systemdoes not comprise a riser for the inlet channel 317 corresponding to thenozzles that are in the cleaning position (e.g., the second set 310 ofnozzles 50 in FIG. 16C). As a result, in some embodiments, any cleaningand/or rinsing agents are forced, at any suitable pressure (including,without limitation, between about 50 psi and about 6,000 psi, or anysub-range thereof) to exit the inlet channel of the nozzle set beingcleaned through the nozzles, to clean the nozzles.

As mentioned, some embodiments of the system 10 are configured to allowone or more sets of nozzles 50 on the nozzle head 125 to apply injectateto a food product while one or more other sets of nozzles on the headare being cleaned. In such embodiments, the cleaning and/or rinsingagents that are used to clean the nozzles that are in the cleaningagents may be handled in any suitable manner, including, withoutlimitation, by being allowed to be sprayed freely within the cabinet 90,by being directed through a duct away from the food product, and/or inany other suitable manner. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIGS.16B-16D show that, in some embodiments, a portion of the conduit 300 isreceived by a sleeve and/or other housing 347 that defines an exit duct345 and comprises one or more seals 350 between it and the conduit 300so as to direct any cleaning and/or rinsing agents out of the nozzlehead 125 (e.g., in the direction of arrow 355) to a drain, storage tank,and/or to any other suitable location. Accordingly, in some embodiments,the system is configured to allow one set of nozzles of a nozzle head toinject and/or otherwise apply injectate into a food product, whileanother set of nozzles on the same head are being cleaned, withoutexposing the food product to the cleaning and/or rinsing agent.

One or more sets of nozzles 50 of the nozzle head 125 can be cleaned atany suitable time, including, without limitation, at a time directed bya user, an administrator, the processing unit 75, and/or at any othersuitable time. In some embodiments, however, the system is configured toclean a set of nozzles after a particular amount of usage time, after acertain amount of fluid has passed through the nozzles, as the systemdetermines that one or more nozzles have become at least partiallyoccluded (e.g., by comparing pressure readings from a pressure gauge influid communication with the head (e.g., pressure sensor 62 shown inFIG. 15 ) with pressure readings from one or more other pressure gaugesin the system (e.g., gauges 40, 42, 44, 46, etc.)), and as the systemotherwise determines appropriate. Thus, in some embodiments, the systemitself may determine when a set of nozzles should be cleaned. Moreover,in some such embodiments, the system can clean the nozzle sets withoutsubstantially impacting the system's ability to treat food product.

As another example of a suitable modification, FIGS. 17A-17F show that,in some embodiments, a single head comprises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or moresets (e.g., 360, 365, 370, etc.) of nozzles 50. Additionally, while eachset of nozzles can comprise one or more of its own risers 325 and/orducts 335, FIGS. 17B-17F show some embodiments in which the head 125 isconfigured to act as a manifold that allows air to be purged from headthrough one or more shared risers 325 and ducts 335.

As yet another example of a suitable modification, in some cases, aftera food product 200 receives injectate from a nozzle 50, the describedmethod is further configured to pass the food product through a bath,cascade, waterfall, curtain, dip, spray, powder, stream, breading, rub,coating, and/or other application method that is configured to coat,bread, fill holes in, color, preserve, flavor, and/or otherwise treatthe food product.

As even another example of a suitable modification, some embodiments ofthe system 10 comprise one or more automated hoods, covers, doors,and/or other objects. Indeed, in some embodiments, a lid 211 of thecabinet is configured to be opened and closed by one or more motors,pistons, and/or other suitable actuators.

In still another example of a modification, in some embodiments, thesystem 10 comprises one or more mixing vessels and/or feed vessels. Inthis regard, such vessels can perform any suitable function (including,without limitation, to mix, store, and/or feed injectate to a desiredlocation) and be disposed in any suitable location (including, withoutlimitation, in the injectate tank 15, in the cabinet 90, in separatevessels, and/or any other suitable location). Indeed, in someembodiments, the mixing vessel and/or the feed vessel allow relativelysmall batches to be mixed (e.g., via any suitable high shear mixer, lowshear mixer, blender, paddle, stirrer, magnetic stirrer, vibrator,and/or other suitable mixing mechanism) and then fed to one or morenozzles 50.

As yet another example of a suitable modification, FIGS. 18A and 18Bshow some embodiments in which the spray nozzle head 125 comprises oneor more elongated conduits that define one or more risers 325 to allowair to rise above injectate in the head and to be vented (e.g., in thedirection of arrow 340) from the system (e.g., via one or more ducts335, purge valves 60, drain lines 165, etc.).

As even another example of a suitable modification, the described system10 can be modified in any suitable manner, including, withoutlimitation, by changing the size and/or design of the cabinet 90 (e.g.,as shown FIGS. 21A-21C and/or in any other suitable manner), by changingthe layout and electrical format of the system (e.g., as shown in FIGS.22A-22E and/or in any other suitable manner), and/or in any othersuitable manner.

In one non-limiting example, FIG. 22A shows that, in some embodiments,the system comprises a mix skid (and/or any other suitable component)that is configured to be used to mix injectate. Once the injectate isproduced, FIG. 22A shows that it can be sent to a supply device (e.g.,the injectate tank 15), where its temperature can be cooled and itslevel can be monitored (e.g., such that new injectate can beautomatically generated on demand). FIG. 22A then shows that theinjectate can be sent to the injector, where it can be applied to foodproducts. That drawing further shows that runoff injectate can becollected, run through a mixer and/or blender, and then be returned tothe supply device for recirculation through the system. The followingtables identify various portions of the systems shown in FIG. 22A andFIG. 22B-22E:

No. Element FIG. 22A 600 MIX SKID 602 POWDER IN 605 CUSTOMER-CHILLEDWATER 610 MIX TANK, 80-GALLON 615 MIX DUMP HAND VALVE 620 POWDER IN HANDVALVE 625 SHEAR PUMP 630 BATCH CONTROL HAND VALVE 634 SUPPLY SKID 635SUPPLY TANK, 80-GALLON 640 LEVEL SENSOR 645 TEMPERATURE SENSOR 650MANUAL PRESSURE GAUGE 655 CENTRIFUGAL PUMP 660 CUSTOMER GLYCOL IN 665HEAT EXCHANGER 670 CUSTOMER GLYCOL OUT 675 WANNER INJECTION PUMP 679S1000 INJECTOR 680 PRESSURE FEEDBACK SENSOR 685 ER5000 690 BACK PRESSUREREGULATOR AIR DOME 700 PURGE/RETURN VALVE 705 SPRAY BAR 710 RUNOFF 715MAIN INJECTION VALVES 720 DRIP PAN 725 BEEZEE SCREEN 730 RECLAIM TANK,45 = GALLON 735 LEVEL SENSOR 740 SHEAR BLENDER FIGS. 22B-22E 745 DRYCABINET 747 PLANT 480 VAC POWER SUPPLY 750 MOUNTED POWER SWITCH 755 480VAC BREAKER 760 480 VAC TO 120 VAC TRANSFORMER 765 120 VAC FUSES 770COOLER THERMOSTAT 775 COOLER AIR VALVE 780 NEMA 5 OUTLET 785 480 VACFUSES 790 120 VAC TO 24 VDC TRANSFORMER 795 POSITIVE HOOD LIMIT SWITCH800 NEGATIVE HOOD LIMIT SWITCH 805 24 V RELAY 810 SAFETY RELAY 815 PANELTERMINAL BLOCK 820 PLC 825 PWR 830 ANALOG OUT X2 ANY 835 ANALOG IN X8ANY 840 DIGITAL OUT X16 RELAYS 845 DIGITAL IN X16 120 VAC 850 RTD IN X6855 ETHERNET SWITCH 860 5 HP VFD 865 CRADLEPOINT 870 SHEAR BLENDER 875ANTENNAE 880 LEVEL SENSOR 885 1 HP VFD HOOD 890 HOOD LINEAR ACTUATOR 8951 HP VFD W/SERVO ENCODER 900 PANEL TERMINAL BLOCK 905 PANEL TERMINALBLOCK 908 STRONG ARM 910 ESTOP BUTTON 915 HMI 920 ESTOP BUTTON 923 WETCABINET 925 CABLE GLAND 930 CABLE GLAND 935 SOLENOID MASTER STATION 940CABLE GLAND 945 CABLE GLAND 950 CABLE GLAND 955 CABLE GLAND 960 FIELDBUSSTATION BLCEN 965 PRESSURE SENSOR 970 SS GLAND 975 ER5000 REGULATOR 980SS GLAND 985 INTERROLL MOTOR ENCODER 24 V DC 990 INTERROLL MOTOR POWER2.5 A 480 V 3 PHASE 993 MIX SKID 995 PLANT 480 VAC POWER SUPPLY 1000ENCLOSURE POWER SWITCH 1005 START BUTTON 1010 STOP BUTTON 1015 SHEARPUMP 1020 5 HP STARTER 1025 480 VAC FUSES 1030 480 VAC BREAKER 1035 TEMPSENSOR 1040 LEVEL SENSOR 1045 SS GLAND 1050 FIELDBUS STATION TBEN 1053SUPPLY SKID 1055 MOUNTED POWER SWITCH 1060 480 VAC BREAKER 1065 480 VACFUSES 1070 SS GLAND 1075 PANEL TERMINAL BLOCK 1080 SAFETY RELAY 1085ESTOP BUTTON 1090 ETHERNET SWITCH 1095 ½ HP VFD 1100 30 HP VFD 1105WANNER PUMP 1110 CENTRIFUGAL PUMP 1115 PLANT 480 VAC POWER SUPPLY 1120KEY 1125 ETHERNET CABLE 1130 4-CONDUCTOR 480 V 3Ø 1135 1-CONDUCTOR 120VAC ESTOP 1140 2-CONDUCTOR 24 V DC 1145 2-CONDUCTOR 4-20 MA 11502-CONDUCTOR 120 VAC 1155 #-CONDUCTOR COMBINATION

In addition to the aforementioned features, the described food treatmentsystem 10 can comprise any other suitable feature. Indeed, in someembodiments, the described system is able to inject injectate into afood product without ever having the nozzles 50 touch (and potentiallycontaminate) the food product.

In another example, in some embodiments of the system, the injectatecomprises liquid nitrogen. In this example, the liquid nitrogen can beused to freeze or chill a food item from the inside out.

In another example, some embodiments of the described system areconfigured in such a manner that the penetration depth of the injectateinto a food item is adjustable. For instance, in some embodiments inwhich the food item comprises a fillet of fish, the system can beconfigured to inject the injectate into the fish through the cutsurface, without penetrating the fish's skin that covers the opposingside of the fillet.

In still another example, in some embodiments, the described system 10is configured to inject fluid (e.g., injectate and/or any other suitablematerial) into a food product to increase the weight of (e.g., pump up)such product. In this regard, the system can increase the weight of afood product through injection by any suitable amount, including,without limitation, by between about 0.01% and about 45%, or by anysub-range thereof. Indeed, in some embodiments, the system is configuredto inject injectate into a food product to increase the weight of thefood product by between about 1% and about 22% (e.g., by about 15%±5%(or any other amount between about 0.01% and about 45%)).

In still another example, although some conventional systems fortenderizing food products inject injectate through the use of one ormore needles, which can significantly damage the food product, someembodiments of the described systems and methods that inject injectateinto a food product without the use of needles that penetrate into thefood product, cause little to no damage to the food product.Accordingly, some embodiments of the described systems and methods areconfigured to waste less food product than are some conventionalsystems.

The described food treatment system 10 can comprise any suitablematerials that allow it to function as intended. Indeed, in someembodiments, the food treatment system comprises one or more metals,plastics, types of glass, ceramics, synthetic materials, types offiberglass, polymers, natural materials, and/or other suitablematerials. Indeed, in some embodiments, one or more of the nozzle heads125 comprise stainless steel.

The described food treatment system 10 can also be made in any suitablemanner. In this regard, some non-limiting examples of methods for makingthe described food treatment system include, cutting, folding, bending,molding, shaping, extruding, connecting various pieces with one or moreadhesives, mechanical fasteners (e.g., clamps, rivets, crimps, pins,brads, nails, staples, pegs, clips, threaded attachments, couplers,etc.), welding pieces together, connecting pieces together, and/or anyother suitable method that allows the described food treatment system toperform its intended functions.

Representative Operating Environment

The described systems and methods can be used with or in any suitableoperating environment and/or software. In this regard, FIG. 23 and thecorresponding discussion are intended to provide a general descriptionof a suitable operating environment in accordance with some embodimentsof the described systems and methods. As will be further discussedbelow, some embodiments embrace the use of one or more processing(including, without limitation, micro-processing) units in a variety ofcustomizable enterprise configurations, including in a networkedconfiguration, which may also include any suitable cloud-based service,such as a platform as a service or software as a service.

Some embodiments of the described systems and methods embrace one ormore computer readable media, wherein each medium may be configured toinclude or includes thereon data or computer executable instructions formanipulating data. The computer executable instructions include datastructures, objects, programs, routines, or other program modules thatmay be accessed by one or more processors, such as one associated with ageneral-purpose processing unit capable of performing various differentfunctions or one associated with a special-purpose processing unitcapable of performing a limited number of functions. In this regard, insome embodiments, the processing unit 75 (described above) comprises aspecialized processing unit that is configured for use with thedescribed system 10.

Computer executable instructions cause the one or more processors of theenterprise to perform a particular function or group of functions andare examples of program code means for implementing steps for methods ofprocessing. Furthermore, a particular sequence of the executableinstructions provides an example of corresponding acts that may be usedto implement such steps.

Examples of computer readable media (including non-transitory computerreadable media) include random-access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory(“ROM”), programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmableread-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (“EEPROM”), compact disk read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), or anyother device or component that is capable of providing data orexecutable instructions that may be accessed by a processing unit.

With reference to FIG. 23 , a representative system includes computerdevice 400 (e.g., a digital ratings device or other unit), which may bea general-purpose or special-purpose computer (e.g., processing unit75). For example, computer device 400 may be a personal computer, anotebook computer, a PDA or other hand-held device, a workstation, adigital pen, a digital ratings device, a digital ratings device dock, adigital ratings device controller, a minicomputer, a mainframe, asupercomputer, a multi-processor system, a network computer, aprocessor-based consumer device, a cellular phone, a tablet computer, asmart phone, a feature phone, a smart appliance or device, a controlsystem, or the like.

Computer device 400 includes system bus 405, which may be configured toconnect various components thereof and enables data to be exchangedbetween two or more components. System bus 405 may include one of avariety of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, or a local bus that uses any of a variety of busarchitectures. Typical components connected by system bus 405 includeprocessing system 410 and memory 420. Other components may include oneor more mass storage device interfaces 430, input interfaces 440, outputinterfaces 450, and/or network interfaces 460, each of which will bediscussed below.

Processing system 410 includes one or more processors, such as a centralprocessor and optionally one or more other processors designed toperform a particular function or task. It is typically processing system410 that executes the instructions provided on computer readable media,such as on the memory 420, a magnetic hard disk, a removable magneticdisk, a magnetic cassette, an optical disk, or from a communicationconnection, which may also be viewed as a computer readable medium.

Memory 420 includes one or more computer readable media (including,without limitation, non-transitory computer readable media) that may beconfigured to include or includes thereon data or instructions formanipulating data, and may be accessed by processing system 410 throughsystem bus 405. Memory 420 may include, for example, ROM 422, used topermanently store information, and/or RAM 424, used to temporarily storeinformation. ROM 422 may include a basic input/output system (“BIOS”)having one or more routines that are used to establish communication,such as during start-up of computer device 400. RAM 424 may include oneor more program modules, such as one or more operating systems,application programs, and/or program data.

One or more mass storage device interfaces 430 may be used to connectone or more mass storage devices 432 to the system bus 405. The massstorage devices 432 may be incorporated into or may be peripheral to thecomputer device 400 and allow the computer device 400 to retain largeamounts of data. Optionally, one or more of the mass storage devices 432may be removable from computer device 400. Examples of mass storagedevices include hard disk drives, magnetic disk drives, tape drives,solid state mass storage, and optical disk drives.

Examples of solid state mass storage include flash cards and memorysticks. A mass storage device 432 may read from and/or write to amagnetic hard disk, a removable magnetic disk, a magnetic cassette, anoptical disk, or another computer readable medium. Mass storage devices432 and their corresponding computer readable media provide nonvolatilestorage of data and/or executable instructions that may include one ormore program modules, such as an operating system, one or moreapplication programs, other program modules, or program data. Suchexecutable instructions are examples of program code means forimplementing steps for methods disclosed herein.

One or more input interfaces 440 may be employed to enable a user toenter data (e.g., initial information) and/or instructions to computerdevice 400 through one or more corresponding input devices 442. Examplesof such input devices include a keyboard and/or alternate input devices,such as a digital camera, a sensor, bar code scanner, debit/credit cardreader, signature and/or writing capture device, pin pad, touch screen,mouse, trackball, light pen, stylus, or other pointing device, amicrophone, a joystick, a game pad, a scanner, a camcorder, and/or otherinput devices. Similarly, examples of input interfaces 440 that may beused to connect the input devices 442 to the system bus 405 include aserial port, a parallel port, a game port, a universal serial bus(“USB”), a firewire (IEEE 1394), a wireless receiver, a video adapter,an audio adapter, a parallel port, a wireless transmitter, or anotherinterface.

One or more output interfaces 450 may be employed to connect one or morecorresponding output devices 452 to system bus 405. Examples of outputdevices include a monitor or display screen, a speaker, a wirelesstransmitter, a printer, and the like. A particular output device 452 maybe integrated with or peripheral to computer device 400. Examples ofoutput interfaces include a video adapter, an audio adapter, a parallelport, and the like.

One or more network interfaces 460 enable computer device 400 toexchange information with one or more local or remote computer devices,illustrated as computer devices 462, via a network 464 that may includeone or more hardwired and/or wireless links. Examples of the networkinterfaces include a network adapter for connection to a local areanetwork (“LAN”) or a modem, a wireless link, or another adapter forconnection to a wide area network (“WAN”), such as the Internet. Thenetwork interface 460 may be incorporated with or be peripheral tocomputer device 400.

In a networked system, accessible program modules or portions thereofmay be stored in a remote memory storage device. Furthermore, in anetworked system computer device 400 may participate in a distributedcomputing environment, where functions or tasks are performed by aplurality networked computer devices. While those skilled in the artwill appreciate that the described systems and methods may be practicedin networked computing environments with many types of computer systemconfigurations, FIG. 24 represents an embodiment of a portion of thedescribed systems in a networked environment that includes clients (465,470, 475, etc.) connected to a server 485 via a network 460. While FIG.24 illustrates an embodiment that includes 3 clients (e.g., digitalratings devices, etc.) connected to the network, alternative embodimentsinclude at least one client connected to a network or many clientsconnected to a network. Moreover, embodiments in accordance with thedescribed systems and methods also include a multitude of clientsthroughout the world connected to a network, where the network is a widearea network, such as the Internet. Accordingly, in some embodiments,the described systems and methods can allow for remote monitoring,observation, adjusting, trouble shooting, data collecting, systemoptimizing, and/or other controlling of the system 10 from many placesthroughout the world.

Thus, as discussed herein, embodiments of the present invention embracefood treatments. More particularly, some embodiments of the describedinvention relate to systems and methods for injecting (and/or otherwiseapplying) an injectate to a food product to: tenderize, limit microbialgrowth in (or provide intervention to), color, flavor, pump up, and/orotherwise treat the food product. Moreover, while the described systemsand methods can include any suitable component, in some cases, theyinclude an injectate reservoir, a filter, a first pump configured toforce injectate from the injectate reservoir through the filter, anozzle that is configured to inject injectate into a food productwithout having the nozzle contact the food, and a valve that isconfigured to selectively open and close to regulate when and how muchof the injectate that passes through the filter is forced out of thenozzle. In some embodiments, the described system further includes achiller configured to cool injectate in the reservoir, a sensor todetermine a distance between the nozzle and the food item, an actuatorconfigured to move the nozzle, and/or a computer processor that controlsan amount of injectate sprayed from the nozzle.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments, examples, and illustrations are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than bythe foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope. In addition, as the terms on, disposed on, attached to, connectedto, coupled to, etc. are used herein, one object (e.g., a material,element, structure, member, etc.) can be on, disposed on, attached to,connected to, or coupled to another object—regardless of whether the oneobject is directly on, attached, connected, or coupled to the otherobject, or whether there are one or more intervening objects between theone object and the other object. Also, directions (e.g., front back, ontop of, below, above, top, bottom, side, up, down, under, over, upper,lower, lateral, etc.), if provided, are relative and provided solely byway of example and for ease of illustration and discussion and not byway of limitation. Where reference is made to a list of elements (e.g.,elements a, b, c), such reference is intended to include any one of thelisted elements by itself, any combination of less than all of thelisted elements, and/or a combination of all of the listed elements.Furthermore, as used herein, the terms a, an, and one may each beinterchangeable with the terms at least one and one or more.

What is claimed is:
 1. A needleless spray nozzle head that comprises: anelongated member having a first fluid channel and a second fluid channelthat each extend from a first end of the elongated member towards asecond end of the elongated member that is disposed substantiallyopposite to the first end of the elongated member, wherein the firstfluid channel and the second fluid channel each have at least oneneedleless nozzle, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the at least oneneedleless nozzle of the first fluid channel runs at a firstintersecting angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of a portion ofthe first fluid channel; and a first manifold portion that is disposedat the first end of the elongated member and that is configured toreceive a first flow of an injectade and to help divide the first flowof the injectade and to direct a portion of the first flow of theinjectade from the first end of the elongated member into each of thefirst fluid channel and the second fluid channel.
 2. The needlelessspray nozzle head of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the atleast one needleless nozzle of the second fluid channel runs at a secondintersecting angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of a portion ofthe second fluid channel.